Best Opening Move for 2-1 in Backgammon
Best play: 24/23 13/11 (+0.003 equity, gnubg 3-ply analysis)
The opening 2-1 is one of the genuinely close decisions in backgammon theory. The two main candidates are 24/23 13/11 ("split") — advancing the back checkers toward an advanced anchor while bringing down a builder — and 13/11 6/5 ("slot"), which drops a checker on the 5-point and offers to pay one hit for a chance to make the golden point next turn. Bots score the alternatives within a few thousandths of a point, so style matters: splitting is steadier, slotting is sharper and richer in gammons. Match score can tip the choice either way.
All reasonable plays for 2-1, ranked
| # | Play | Equity | Diff | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24/23 13/11 | +0.003 | — | 50.0 |
| 2 | 13/11 6/5 | -0.002 | -0.005 | 50.2 |
| 3 | 24/21 | -0.024 | -0.028 | 49.4 |
| 4 | 13/10 | -0.038 | -0.041 | 48.8 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best opening move for 2-1 in backgammon?
The best play for an opening 2-1 is 24/23 13/11 (GNU Backgammon, 3-ply cubeful analysis). It wins 50.0% of games from the start, with a cubeful equity of +0.003.
Should I slot the 5-point with an opening 2-1?
It is a legitimate choice — the equity difference to the split play is tiny. Slot when gammons are extra valuable or you like complex positions; split when steadier play suits the score.