Opening 5-4: toward the golden anchor

24/20 13/8 is the modern preference over the older 13/8 13/9.

24/20 13/8Modern consensus

Backgammon board after the opening roll 5-4 played 24/20 13/8 — The position after 24/20 13/8. The 20-point is highlighted.

Why this play

The 20-point is called the golden anchor for a reason: it is the best defensive point on the board and it sits exactly where your opponent wants to build.
Putting a checker there immediately threatens to make it. If you do, your back checkers are safe for the rest of the game and you can play the front position freely.
13/8 is the safe half of the roll either way, so the whole decision is what to do with the 4.

The mistake to avoid

13/8 13/9 is playable but passive. It builds at the cost of leaving the back checkers stuck deep.

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 free

Frequently asked questions

What is the best play for an opening 5-4 in backgammon?

24/20 13/8. 24/20 13/8 is the modern preference over the older 13/8 13/9.

Why not play something else with 5-4?

13/8 13/9 is playable but passive. It builds at the cost of leaving the back checkers stuck deep.