How to Start the Game

Every starting move has a direct effect on the following moves. A good opening move has a motivating effect encompassing the complete game. Unfortunately, it is impossible to have a good roll each time you start a game. Looking at the table below, we see that there are numerous outcomes each roll can bring.



Since doubles only occur once and other rolls occur twice in the table, there are 15 opening moves in the game.

Five of which we play in the same manner:

31 makes the 5-pt (8/5, 6/5), 42 makes the 4th point (8/4, 6/4), 53 makes the 3 point-pt (8/3, 6/3), 61 makes the bar point (13/7, 8/7), 65 takes one of the back checkers to the mid point 24/13.
Other opening rolls fall into one of the three categories below:

• Take one back checker or play making a relationship
• Move to the 5 point or break ties between two back checkers
• Bring down checkers from the mid point or break ties between two back checkers

We see the remaining first category that covers rolls including a six. 62, 63, 64.

All those rolls can be played by taking a back checker with 24/16, 24/15, 24/14 respectively. But those are very historical moves and more contemporary versions are like:

62 24/18, 13/11 63 24/18, 13/10 64 24/18, 13/9

The main idea behind all these moves is to cause profitable hit exchange at the bar point of the opponent or to have a spot at this point. It must be noted however that sometimes it is best to play 8/2, 6/2 depending on the score of the game.

Then we see the rolls of the second category: 21, 41, 51.

Placement moves are given as:

21 13/11, 6/5 41 13/9, 6/5 51 13/8, 6/5

and corresponding tie breakers are:

21 13/11, 24/23 41 13/9, 24/23 51 13/8, 24/23

Constructive moves result in complicated games, whereas tie-breaking
moves tend to result in simple games.

The last category includes: 32, 43, 52 and 54. Giving us the options:

32 13/10, 13/11 43 13/9, 13/10 54 13/8, 13/9 52 13/8, 13/11

And corresponding tie-breaker moves:

32 13/10, 24/21 43 13/9, 24/21 or 13/10, 24/20 54 13/8, 24/20 52 13/8, 24/22

Constructive moves lead to complex positions. On the contrary, tie-breaking moves lead to simple games. It is your choice, but don't forget its impact on your score in tournaments (playing complex when losing) and consider the skill level of your opponent (play complex against low skill levels and simple against tough opponents).

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