Best Opening Move for 6-1 in Backgammon
Best play: 13/7 8/7 (+0.127 equity, gnubg 3-ply analysis)
An opening 6-1 makes the bar-point: 13/7 8/7. The 7-point starts a three-point prime (6, 7, 8) that can trap your opponent’s back checkers before the game is a dozen moves old. Unlike inner-board points, the bar-point also works as a blocking point for a priming game, which is why every bot ranks 13/7 8/7 clearly first. The main strategic follow-up: try to extend the prime with the 5-point or 9-point, and do not rush your back checkers out while the block is doing its work.
All reasonable plays for 6-1, ranked
| # | Play | Equity | Diff | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13/7 8/7 | +0.127 | — | 53.3 |
| 2 | 24/23 24/18 | -0.038 | -0.165 | 49.5 |
| 3 | 24/23 13/7 | -0.068 | -0.195 | 48.2 |
| 4 | 13/6 | -0.081 | -0.208 | 47.7 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best opening move for 6-1 in backgammon?
The best play for an opening 6-1 is 13/7 8/7 (GNU Backgammon, 3-ply cubeful analysis). It wins 53.3% of games from the start, with a cubeful equity of +0.127.
What is the bar-point in backgammon?
The 7-point, directly next to the bar. Owning it blocks your opponent’s back checkers from escaping with 6s — the most common escaping number — and forms the backbone of a prime.