Read the moves before memorising them
Points are numbered from your perspective: you move from 24 towards 1. The notation 13/11 means moving one checker from your 13-point to your 11-point. Two moves separated by a space use different checkers unless the notation connects them. A number in brackets, such as 8/5(2), means two checkers make that move.
Only 15 non-double combinations can start a standard game, because equal opening dice are rerolled. The plays below assume ordinary, non-extreme match-score conditions. Score-dependent gammon incentives and opening theory can favour alternatives; none of these recommendations comes with an invented engine equity.
2–1: develop a builder and split or slot
13/11 24/23 is a sound split: the 2 develops a builder towards the valuable home-board points, while the 1 separates your back checkers and improves their chances of making an advanced anchor. It develops both sides of the board rather than spending both dice on the front position.
13/11 6/5 is the established slotting alternative. It deliberately exposes a checker on your 5-point so that you can cover it next turn. The reward is a powerful point; the cost is getting hit before that happens. Treat slotting as a calculated investment, not as a rule that blots are harmless.
3–1: make your 5-point
8/5 6/5 makes your 5-point immediately. This strengthens your home board, starts a connected blocking structure beside your 6-point and reduces your opponent’s safe entry points if you hit later.
Do not spend this roll simply advancing a back checker. You would give up a lasting positional asset for a small improvement in mobility. The made 5-point supports both an attack and a prime, so it leaves several strategic options open.
4–1: split and bring a builder down
24/23 13/9 develops a builder on the 9-point and splits the back checkers. The front checker can help make your 5-point or outer-board points, while the split gives more ways to establish an anchor.
The 9-point blot is exposed to some shots, but useful development requires accepting measured risk. Compare the future point-making numbers with a passive move inside your home board: the latter may look safe yet leave your starting stacks unchanged.
5–1: use the midpoint and split
24/23 13/8 is a dependable opening. The 5 adds a checker to an already made point rather than leaving a distant loose builder; the 1 improves the back checkers’ options.
13/8 6/5 is a recognised slotting alternative, committing more directly to making the 5-point. Decide what that slot is buying: it is a chance to build, not a completed structure. Watch the opponent’s reply before continuing the attack automatically.
6–1: make the bar point
13/7 8/7 makes your 7-point, often called the bar point. Together with your 8- and 6-points, it forms a three-point prime that restricts the opponent’s back checkers.
This is a blocking play rather than an immediate home-board attack. On the next turn, look for ways to extend the prime or free your own rear checkers. Do not assume a short prime already traps a checker completely.
3–2: split towards an advanced anchor
24/21 13/11 is an established opening: the 3 advances a back checker towards an anchor on your 21-point, and the 2 creates a flexible builder on the 11-point.
13/10 13/11 is the two-builders alternative. It increases your immediate point-making potential but leaves both back checkers on the 24-point. This is the central trade-off: more front-board development now versus an earlier chance to organise your back position.
4–2: make your 4-point
8/4 6/4 makes a valuable home-board point without leaving a blot. Although the 5-point remains open, owning another home-board point immediately improves future hits and limits the opponent’s entries.
The gap on the 5-point is a development target, not a reason to reject the made point. Future builders can fill it. Avoid scattering these dice solely to seek the 5-point later when you can secure a strong asset now.
5–2: split with the 2
24/22 13/8 splits a back checker and brings another checker safely down from the midpoint. It keeps the front position secure while giving the rear checkers more anchoring and escaping numbers.
13/8 13/11 develops two checkers from the midpoint instead. Compare its added front-board flexibility with the cost of leaving the back pair unmoved. Neither plan should be continued blindly once the opponent starts building a home board.
6–2: split to the opponent’s bar point
24/18 13/11 puts one rear checker on your 18-point, the opponent’s bar point, and develops a builder with the 2. This offers chances to escape or make a strong advanced anchor.
The checker on 18 is exposed, so the play is not a completed escape. Its value lies in the opponent still having a weak starting home board: early mobility is often worth more than waiting until being hit becomes much more dangerous.
4–3: balance rear development and builders
24/21 13/9 combines a useful split with a builder aimed at future points. 24/20 13/10 is another established split, advancing directly to your 20-point, the opponent’s 5-point.
13/9 13/10 is the two-builders alternative. It creates many point-making possibilities but postpones rear-checker development. This roll illustrates why an opening chart needs alternatives: the strategic emphasis matters, and match score can change the relative appeal of attacking development.
5–3: make your 3-point
8/3 6/3 makes your 3-point. It is less connected to your existing structure than the 5-point would be, but an immediate made home-board point is still a substantial asset.
The follow-up task is to develop the remaining builders rather than pile extra checkers deep on the 3-point. Its two checkers close a point; additional checkers there have fewer opportunities to help make the higher home-board points.
6–3: split and develop
24/18 13/10 advances a rear checker to the opponent’s bar point and creates a builder on your 10-point. It develops both ends of your position and keeps several plans available.
24/15 is the running alternative, using both dice on one checker through a legal intermediate point. It makes progress but leaves that checker exposed in the outer board. A large opening total does not by itself guarantee a safe or superior running play.
5–4: seek the advanced anchor
24/20 13/8 puts a checker on the opponent’s 5-point and adds a checker safely to your 8-point. If you subsequently cover the advanced checker, you gain an anchor with strong escape and contact potential.
13/8 13/9 is a front-development alternative. It adds a builder but keeps both back checkers deep. The split is particularly instructive: a temporary blot on a strategically valuable point can be more useful than keeping every checker apparently safe.
6–4: three distinct plans
24/18 13/9 splits and develops, 24/14 runs a back checker, and 8/2 6/2 makes your 2-point. All are established opening candidates; presenting one as universally compulsory would hide the strategic choice.
The point-making play increases attacking and gammon potential but commits checkers deep. The running play gains distance without making a new point. The split keeps positional flexibility but exposes checkers. Match score and the value of gammons can affect the choice, so compare the plans rather than inventing a fixed equity gap.
6–5: run a back checker to safety
24/13 brings a back checker all the way to the occupied midpoint. Unlike shorter running openings, it reaches a safe destination and removes one rear checker from the opponent’s home board.
You still have one checker on the 24-point. The next decision may be to develop it, build points or race, depending on the reply. This excellent running opportunity does not commit every subsequent move to a race regardless of contact.
Practise the reasoning, then the replies
Group the rolls by purpose: immediate points, split-and-build plays, slotting choices and running opportunities. Say what the move achieves before checking a chart. Then ask how a hit, a strong opposing point or a racing lead would change your next-turn priorities.
Opening recommendations apply only to the untouched starting position. After a reply, a superficially similar roll may require a completely different move. Use analysis to compare candidate plans rather than importing an opening move into an unrelated position.