Best Opening Move for 5-4 in Backgammon
Best play: 24/20 13/8 (+0.034 equity, gnubg 3-ply analysis)
With an opening 5-4 the established play is 24/20 13/8: claim the golden anchor point with the four and bring a checker safely to the 8-point with the five. Landing on the 20-point on move one is a big deal — if you make that anchor, your back checkers are effectively safe for the rest of the game and you can play the position with a free hand. The alternatives, 13/8 13/9 (double builder) and the run 24/15, both concede that fight. The bot verdict is comfortable rather than close: anchor potential plus a safe five beats everything else.
All reasonable plays for 5-4, ranked
| # | Play | Equity | Diff | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24/20 13/8 | +0.034 | — | 50.8 |
| 2 | 13/9 13/8 | +0.020 | -0.014 | 49.9 |
| 3 | 24/15 | -0.004 | -0.038 | 50.4 |
| 4 | 13/4 | -0.058 | -0.092 | 48.2 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best opening move for 5-4 in backgammon?
The best play for an opening 5-4 is 24/20 13/8 (GNU Backgammon, 3-ply cubeful analysis). It wins 50.8% of games from the start, with a cubeful equity of +0.034.
What makes the 20-point anchor so strong?
From the 20-point your back checkers cannot be attacked effectively, they hit anything your opponent slots in the outfield, and you can never be primed. It converts a defensive liability into a permanent asset.