Backgammon Beyond Beginner: 6. Openings (4 of 5) - Running with sixes?

[@Ensor42]

@come2u2cu Yeah, the numbers are just a shorthand way to describe moves. The points from red's perspective can be thought of as being numbered from 1 to 24, with his back checkers being on 24, so that 24/18 13/11 just means moving a checker from his 24 point to his 18 point, and one from his 13 point to his 11 point. If two checkers were being moved from the back, it would be written 24/18(2), and a hit would be indicated by an asterisk - eg 24/18*.

[@Ensor42]

@HnefataflModern Hi. Good question, here's the thing.. Well, two things :) Firstly, although useful, making the bar point is much less valuable than making the 5 point, mostly because it's still outside of your home board, so the risk of the slot isn't justified. Secondly, black wouldn't be a "big time favourite to miss on the bar", as 17 rolls out of 36 he can hit there, not to mention any additional chance of hitting the other loose checker in the outfield. It's all a matter of risk/reward.

[@HnefataflModern]

@Ensor42 Thanks! I understand your first reason. I guess it is a matter of taste. It's good to hear your opinion. I don't understand the second reason you give. If red's on his bar point (the 7 point), black can only hit with 1 of his back checkers with 6 out of 36 rolls. The 17/36 is hitting *his*bar, but there is no checker there.Black's on your 1 point and can only hit *your* bar with 6-1, 1-6, 5-2, 2-5, 4-3, and 3-4. I still believe these are valid options worth mentioning. Thanks again.

[@Ensor42]

@HnefataflModern If red has 1 checker on his 7 point, then black can hit with one of his back checkers with 17 rolls - 1-5,1-6,2-2,2-4,2-6,3-3,3-6,4-2,4-6,5-1,5-6,6-1,6-2,6-3,6-4,6-5 and 6-6. Also, the first reason is more a question of mathematics and equity than one of taste.

[@blaze556922]

These are very helpful. I appreciate it sir. Can I ask why it is bad to have stacks on 2 as opposed to 3 4 or 5. As a beginner it seems like all the home points are valid. I see why 5 is considered the Golden point. Just learned that term to today but I'm a fast learner and would like to improve as quickly as possible. Hence videos like yours :)

[@Ensor42]

Hello there. It's simply that the further checkers are played in-board, the fewer options you have to do with them. They tend not to be as helpful in containing opponent's checkers behind primes, and in forced move situations, a position is likelier to collapse into bunched up checkers on the lower points.

[@stevehadley7205]

Fantastic vids im hooked on the game now Bravo

[@Ensor42]

@come2u2cu Hi. It's simply that such a move wouldn't do as much for your position. You'd be slotting the 5 point, but not providing an extra builder in your outfield to make the risk of the slot worthwhile. Also, it doesn't do anything useful with your checkers on the other side of the board. In backgammon, always try to do as many good things in one roll as possible. Moving 24/18 13/11 maximises the potential here.

[@come2u2cu]

@Ensor42 hey! Thanks for the quick response! What does 24/18 and 13/11 mean? Are the fields numbered or something? Hoping to see new videos I really learned a lot. Played for the last couple of hours and for the first time every single game is fun. Thanks so much!

[@Ensor42]

@HnefataflModern Hehe, no problem :) Glad you enjoyed the vids. I must thank you in turn, currently enjoying your Tablut series.

[@omribuch]

Hey. How about playing the 6-4 with both checkers at the opp home base (take opp home 5&7)?

[@HnefataflModern]

Let me just clarify my point in case there is any misunderstanding. Red wins the opening roll with 6-3 and instead of playing the plays in your video (24/18 and 13,10; or 24/16), decides for the aggressive 13/7 and 13,10). Black can only hit red's checker on *red's* bar point with 6 out of 36 rolls. And red is very likely to cover with the builders on 10 and 8 on his next roll, making a three point prime. I think this is a very valid play worth mentioning.

[@HnefataflModern]

I've thoroughly enjoyed the series and agree with the majority of your strategy. In your openings videos, you stress aggressive play by slotting the one. Why do you feel the sixes should not be slotted? The plays you've given here are not as agressive as say, for example moving two checkers from the midpoint when you roll 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, or running with 13/5 for 6-2. Black is big time favorite to miss on your bar and you can cover next roll. Thoughts?

[@Ensor42]

@maulcs Thanks. Unfortunately, I'm afraid my chess playing days are now long passed ;-) There was a time, back in the late 80s, where I might have been a pretty decent player - I still have the winning schools team trophy thing buried somewhere about, but I really haven't looked at any chess since the Short/Kasparov final, and my play now would be laughable. It wasn't too much trouble to beat the opponents in the Harry Potter game on the Xbox 360, but that's about all I could manage nowadays!

[@come2u2cu]

hi! I'm new to this kind of Backgammon and I wonder why when you roll a 6-2 you wouldn't bring a checker to your five-point (in one move)?

[@HnefataflModern]

@Ensor42 My bad. Thanks again. Enjoyed the series.

[@maulcs]

Great stuff - shame you don't have more views. If you're good at chess, a series like these would be excellent as well, and would garner more views possibly.

[@matthewjeffery6481]

I always found 4-1 a bad opening roll

[@edwardleonard2944]

roll 6-2 , how about 13-5?

[@HnefataflModern]

(..or with another builder on 13).

[@didisaythankyou]

haha @ 5min