The Three Plays for the Six-Two Opening Roll
There are three popular plays for the six-two opening roll in backgammon. We'll discuss each of them and check out what advantages or disadvantages they may have. By knowing the different plays for the six-two opening roll you can see which one fits your strategy and style.
The three popular plays for the six-two opening roll are: first is 24/18, 13/11, next is 24/16, last is 13/5. The first play is the one most favored by backgammon players. It is the clear favorite among the three plays for the six-two opening roll.
By doing a 24/16 on the six-two opening roll you run a back checker all the way to your 16-point using both results on the dice. The 13/5 play slots your five-point. The 24/18, 13/11 play brings a checker down from the mid-point and slots the opponent's bar-point in the opening roll.
With the 24/16 play you take the risk and make a run for it. If your escaping checker doesn't get hit, the next phase of the plan is to move that same checker and put it out of harm's way. This opening roll play fits pretty well with a running game.
The only problem for this opening roll play is that your checker at the 16-point can be hit by your opponent in 14 different ways. When it's hit, you fall back nine pips in the pip count with a checker on the bar and an enemy builder in a juicy spot to keep you at the bar or the enemy home board.
The 13/5 opening roll play is the least among our list of favorite moves. The fastest way to make a point is to slot it, and by playing a 13/5 you do just that. By doing this on the opening roll you are taking an aggressive stance.
If your blot on the five-point is not hit during your opponent's turn after the opening roll, you can easily cover it nicely. You need a One, a Three, and an Eight on the dice to make the cover -- pretty good chance. If it is hit, you drop back 20 pips (not a pretty picture but quite recoverable since you're only at the opening roll).
The 24/18, 13/11 opening roll play is a more balanced play in backgammon. You improve your position on both sides of the backgammon board. In your next turn, you have a choice to run the checker on your opponent's bar-point to safety or cover the slot with the other back checker.
Your builder on the 11-point during the opening roll covers your outer board. It is pretty much out of harm's way since the only roll that can hit it is a six-four.
These are the favorite plays for the six-two opening roll in backgammon. Study each one, and see which play works pretty well with your style or strategy during the game.