24/23 13/9 Play for the Four-One Opening Roll
There has been a change of opinion regarding the correct play for the four-one opening roll. This may be one opening roll in backgammon you might find hard to play. Today, the popular way to play the four-one opening roll is to do a 24/23 13/9. We'll take a look at the 24/23 13/9 play and see what strategic opportunities this move offers.
A few years back, most backgammon players would play this opening roll as 24/20 6/5. This play for the four-one opening roll slots both five-points on both sides of the backgammon board. It does involve a lot of risks but covers two of the most important points on the backgammon board.
But in time, backgammon players began to see that that play for the four-one opening roll involves too much risk. The risk in making a 24/20 6/5 for the four-one opening roll is in leaving two blots early in the game. Both blots can get hit, and both five-points on the backgammon board will be contested any day.
The other play for the four-one opening roll is to do a 13/9 6/5. This play was also popular in the past and is quite aggressive. It involves bringing down a checker from the mid-point and slotting the five-point.
Doing a 24/23 13/9 is the most popular play for this opening roll nowadays. This play splits the your back checkers and brings a checker down from your mid point to serve as a builder. Doing a 24/23 13/9 develops both sides of the backgammon board. This type of play for the four-one opening roll is often seen as a balanced approach to an opening roll.
Doing a 24/23 13/9 may not seem effective or dynamic to some backgammon players. This move (24/23)
Splitting your runners in the opening roll adds to your coverage of your opponent's side of the backgammon board. It also gives you a better chance to make an advanced anchor on your next turn. Your runners can hit any enemy checker that land on your opponent's side of the backgammon board.
The splitting action by doing a 24/23 13/9 in this opening roll gives you a good chance to build advanced an anchor on either your opponent's four-point or five-point. All you need is to roll a three-two or four-three in your next turn to accomplish this.
Your builder on the nine-point gives you an opportunity to make a point later on that involves less risk. That builder may be within range of your opponent's backgammon checkers. That may be the case, but you still have a good chance of making a point.
The 24/23 13/9 play for the four-one opening roll provides you with a balanced approach in the development of your position.
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