First Moves

Opening Strategy
First Moves

On this page we'll go through  the opening dice rolls and  the recommended moves.  Doubles aren't allowed on the first throw and bear in mind the general principles mentioned in the previous page.

The following four dice combinations are the best available and give a big advantage if played correctly.  In the notation  3-1 refers to a 3 and 1 for the dice.  8/5 6/5 means move a counter from  the eighth point to the fifth and sixth to the fifth.

1)  3-1  8/5 6/5  Makes the all important  five point here to hem in the opponent.

2)  4-2  8/4 6/4  Similarly occupy the almost as strong  four point.

3)  6-1  13/7 8/7  This makes the seven point.

4)  5-3  8/3 6/3  Make the three point.

Running out a checker

5)  6-4  24/14  is the most common move extracting the back checker.  24/18 13/9 is  an alternative to consider.  And back to making points 8/2 6/2 is another option.

6)  6-5  24/13  If you can run a checker out to safety  grab the opportunity. 

Splitting  back checkers and preparing primes

Here we move a back checker and threaten to occupy points 18 to 21 in the opponent's home sector.  This called a major split.

7)  6-3  24/18 13/10  threatens to create a point on 18 with another 6 .  The checker on 10 is ready to build a prime.

8)  6-2  24/18 13/11  similar to the above. Remember when moving out the back checkers., they're not necessarily vulnerable as a blot. If you can hit back  from the bar their checker has further to fall so to speak.

9)  5-4  24/20 13/8  threatens a very strong position on the enemy's  five point and prepares for a prime on your eighth point.

10)  4-3  24/21 13/9  threatens a strong position on enemy's four point. and moves builder down.

11)  3-2  24/21 13/11  for similar reasons to previous moves.

Here we simply improve the chances of escaping our back checkers and create builders as before.  This is called a minor split.

12)  5-1  24/3 13/8 

13)  4-1  24/23 13/9

14)  2-1  24/23 13/11

15)  5-2  24/22 13/8