Principles of How to Reply to the Opening Rolls
We don't always get to make the first move in backgammon and would have to reply to the opening rolls. When opponents win the opening roll in backgammon, they will have 15 possible combinations to encounter. With 15 combinations open to the winner of the opening roll, 33 good moves are available to that backgammon player.
Unfortunately, the backgammon player who has to reply to the opening rolls is faced with 21 different reply combinations. Statistics show that the backgammon player who has to reply to the opening rolls is faced with 693 different positions to encounter.
The numbers may look overwhelming, but knowing the principles behind each reply to the opening rolls makes the job a lot easier. You can expect to encounter each situation in a game of backgammon over and over so this will be a good investment.
Hit your opponent's blot when you reply to the opening rolls. Some of the recommended moves for the opening rolls would have a backgammon player make a blot on the board. To hit a blot on your opponent's side of the backgammon board is a great reply to the opening rolls.
When given a choice to hit either of two blots, then it is better to hit the one on your opponent's side of the backgammon board where it really hurts (in this case, the further behind your opponent gets the better it is).
Next, a good reply to the opening rolls is to hit the backgammon checker on your four- or five-point when the opponent slots it. It is better to prevent future problems when your opponent decides to slot a point to make an anchor on your backgammon home board.
When given a choice to make your five-point or to hit a blot on your opponent's five-point, it is strategically better to hit the blot on your opponent's five-point. This is a better reply to the opening rolls than building a home board point. You slot your opponent's five-point while sending a backgammon checker to the bar.
If you get a six-one, five-three, four-two, and a three-one and you can't hit any blot then it is better to make a point. But if you can hit, and hit two blots (e.g. your opponent splits back checkers), then go for it.
Now, you will also encounter a time when your opponents are able to make their five-point. To reply to this play in backgammon is to split your back checkers and go for an advanced anchor on your opponent's four-point.
Knowing the principles behind the each reply to the opening rolls in backgammon makes the job a lot easier since there hundreds of situations to figure out. If you understand the principles then the deciding how to reply would be easier.