The Backgammon opening moves

To begin a game of backgammon each player rolls one dice, the player rolling the higher die takes both dice as his opening roll.If both players roll the same number then both roll again; this means that you never start the game with a double.Opening moves are in three categories: 1. Point Makers, 2. Builders 3.Runners.

1. Point Makers: As the name implies these rolls start out doing the very thing you set out to do, make points. They are (in order of preference):

   3,1	8/5, 6/5	a
   6,1	13/7, 8/7	b
   4,2	8/4, 6/4	c
   5,3	8/3, 6/3	d
   6,4	8/2, 6/2	e

   a. The best point to hold.b. The bar-point (7-point) blocks your opponent's 6s and makes it difficult to escape the back men (the runners).c. Makes an important inner point.d. As deep as you really want to be. Perhaps a little too deep (it's better to keep points closer together, but nonetheless, worth making as a beginner.
2. Builders: Although single men are blots they are also builders for points and these are:

   5,4	13/8, 13/9	a
   4,3	13/9, 13/10	a
   5,2	13/8, 13/11	a
   3,2	13/10, 13/11	a
   2,1	13/11, 24/23	b
   4,1	13/9, 24/23	b
   5,1	13/8, 24/23	b

   a. These moves are mid-point builders (13-point) and are only vulnerable to an indirect hit (i.e. the roll of two dice is required to hit - e.g. anything greater than a 6). Although these blots might be hit the benefits are worth the risk - and backgammon is about taking calculated risks.b. These are splitting builders, creating builders for the outer/home board and starting a runner off, the runner threatening your opponent's tables with a possible direct or indirect shot.
3. Runners: These are men played from the 24-point. These are:

   6,5	24/13
   6,4	24/14	a
   6,3	24/15
   6,2	24/16

   a. This move can also be a 2-point maker.Although doublets are not technically opening rolls they are the first roll for one player. These are the standard opening moves:

   6,6	24/18(2), 13/8(2)
   5,5	13/3(2)
   4,4	13/5(2)	a
   3,3	8/5(2), 6/3(2)	b
   2,2	13/11(2), 6/4(2)	c
   1,1	8/7(2), 6/5(2)

   a. Alternative 4,4 moves are moving the back men 24/20(2) with 13/9(2) or 8/4(2).b. Alternative 3,3 moves are making the bar point in either table by playing 13/7(2) or 24/18(2), or any combination moving 24/21(2) and any other legal move.c. Sometimes 2,2 is played as a Golden Point maker by playing 24/20(2).Exercise 6: Set up the board and practice moving all the opening moves, including doubles until you are adept at making the standard opening moves to such an extent that you don't have to think what to do but do so instinctively.When you have mastered the opening moves it's time to play a game! This time you are on your own, remember, try to move safely and use builders to make points and primes as you progress towards the finish.Keep well away from direct shots and leave as little as possible for your opponent to hit but at the same time remain flexible. Using these guidelines you will soon become addicted to the exciting game of backgammon!!!

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