backgammon trend

Playing the Two-One Opening Roll in Backgammon

A game of backgammon would usually begin with players tossing dice to figure out which one would go first. In case of a tie, both players make another roll. The backgammon player who gets the higher result on the dice will definitely go first but usually has to make the initial decision -- how to play the opening roll.

Since there are only fifteen possible results on the opening roll, you can already intelligently guess that these backgammon opening rolls have been studied. Along with that, various recommendations have been made regarding how to play the different backgammon opening rolls.

We'll discuss the two-one opening roll and see the different recommended moves. But we'll only put more emphasis on the most recommended moves for this backgammon opening roll.

There are four recommended moves for the two-one opening roll. We have the following moves: 24/21, 13/11 and 6/5, 13/10, 24/23 and 13/11. The two-one opening roll is indeed one of the most interesting and well-speculated opening rolls in backgammon. It would seem like top players and experts have argued over the right move for this opening roll for the longest time.

The less popular plays for the two-one opening roll are 13/10 and 24/21. They may have their own advantages but a lot of players have discounted them due to matters of strategy. We'll now move on to the more popular moves and see how they go when played in a backgammon opening roll.

When we do a 24/23 and 13/11 move for the two-one opening roll, we are splitting our back men (otherwise known as runners). We are also bringing a checker down to act as a point builder (i.e. we hope to make a point later on in succeeding rolls).

The 13/11 and 6/5 move for the two-one opening roll slots the five-point and sets up a checker to act as a point builder.

The main idea behind both plays for the two-one opening roll can be easily observed. Both take advantage of the opportunity to use one of the mid-point checkers as a builder on the 11-point. The blot is pretty safe since for it to be hit your opponent needs to make a six-four on his roll, the only roll that can possibly hit that checker. The position of this checker on this point in the backgammon board adds to your coverage of the outer board.

These are the different preferred plays for the two-one opening roll in backgammon. Take time to try each one out and figure out which one you'd vote for.