Opening roll 6-5: lover's leap

Play 24/13, the lover's leap: one back checker runs all the way to your midpoint.

6-5 played 24/13. Your checkers are the light ones, moving toward your home board in the bottom right.

Roll6 and 5 Best play24/13 Rank#5 of 15 opening rolls Pip count afterYou 156, opponent 167

Why 24/13

With 6-5 you run one back checker from your 24-point to your 13-point (24/18/13). It is called the lover's leap. The checker escapes your opponent's home board in one move and lands safely on the midpoint.

Running gains 11 pips in the race and leaves only one checker behind. Your opponent's best rolls can attack that lone checker, but on average the race lead is worth more.

What to aim for next

Your remaining back checker wants to escape or anchor soon.
With a race lead, simple safe play usually works well.

Not sure about the notation? Here is how to read moves like 24/13. Practise the opening against the computer: play a game and turn on hints to compare your moves.

Questions

What is the best opening move for 6-5 in backgammon?

24/13. Play 24/13, the lover's leap: one back checker runs all the way to your midpoint.

Can 6-5 be rolled as a reply instead of an opening?

Yes. As a reply the best play depends on how your opponent opened, but the opening play is usually a sound starting point.

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Keep learning

How to playThe complete rules, step by step, with diagrams.StrategyKey points, the five game plans, and when to take risks.Opening movesThe best play for all 15 opening rolls.Doubling cubeDoubling, taking, dropping and the 25% rule.Pip countingCount the race fast and know who is ahead.Bearing offRules and technique for the end of the game.