Opening 5-1: split and bring one down
Modern play is 24/23 13/8. The older book answer, 13/8 6/5, slots the 5-point and is now considered slightly inferior at money.
24/23 13/8Modern consensus
Why this play
- 13/8 is safe and useful either way: it brings a checker to a point you already own and adds a builder for your home board.
- The question is the spare pip. Putting it on the 23-point starts the escape and makes your opponent think about whether attacking is worth it. Putting it on the 5-point is the aggressive slot.
- Rollouts came down narrowly for the split. The reason is that the slot is hit a little too often for the reward, and the 23-point checker is useful whether or not it is attacked.
The mistake to avoid
Playing 13/8 13/12 wastes the 1 entirely. Every opening pip should do a job.
How settled is this? Modern consensus. Computer rollouts changed the standard answer here, so older books may disagree.
Knowing the play and making it under pressure are different skills
Play a rated game and the computer reviews every decision you made afterwards, including this one. The dice are sealed before you move and verifiable after, so what the review measures is you.
Play a rated game freeFrequently asked questions
What is the best play for an opening 5-1 in backgammon?
24/23 13/8. Modern play is 24/23 13/8. The older book answer, 13/8 6/5, slots the 5-point and is now considered slightly inferior at money.
Why not play something else with 5-1?
Playing 13/8 13/12 wastes the 1 entirely. Every opening pip should do a job.
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