The 13/5 Opening Play in Backgammon

The 13/5 play for the six-two opening roll comes up as the third favorite play for many backgammon players. The other favorite plays for this backgammon opening roll are 24/18 13/11 and 24/16. Let's check out what type of approach this play makes for this opening roll in backgammon.

When it comes to equity it appears that playing 13/5 isn't showing that much of a favorable forecast since it's only around -.0109. The reason for the popularity of this play in backgammon seems to come from something else since the numbers don't really show some great significance.

The other favorite plays for this opening roll in backgammon are 24/18 13/11 and 24/16. The 24/18 13/11 play for the six-two opening roll is more promising when it comes to equity going up to about +.0066. It appears to be promising when considering a possible win by gammon or backgammon. On the other hand, the 24/16 play for this opening roll does quite worse - around -.0117 equity.

Let's look at the approach a 13/5 takes for this backgammon opening roll. It has been said that the fastest way to take control of a point in backgammon is to slot that point. You will notice that if you take this kind of approach you are taking an aggressive stance in backgammon. Come to think of it, doing a 13/5 play right in the opening roll does take on an aggressive play.

Obviously, you're next step after the opening roll is to cover this blot, else your effort at slotting this very important backgammon point is put to waste. You can cover this blot on your next turn with a roll of one, any roll that totals to three, or any eight.

There may be a good reason for the aggressive nature of the 13/5 play. The biggest one is that you are claiming the five-point. If you're the type of player who would love to go for aggressive play then doing a 13/5 is a good option in backgammon for the six-two opening roll.

The big down side to this backgammon play is that if your blot on the five-point does get hit, the results can be quite devastating. If your blot gets hit, it is sent twenty pips, talk about being left behind in the pip count.

The biggest question, therefore, with regard to the 13/5 backgammon play concerns taking risks. Is the risk of being sent all the way back to start worth haggling for the five-point?

If you're the player who's up for a gamble, then this play will be a good option for you. Just remember to check the advantages and the risks, and consider your game plan.