Opening roll · 3-1

3-1 — Point on Five

Best play: 8/5 6/5

Make the 5-point immediately. It is the strongest single asset on your side of the board.

CHARACTER · THE BEST OPENING ROLL · AUTOMATIC

Watch

This opening roll, explained.

Every opening roll and its best play, explained with the reasons — why 3-1 makes the 5-point and why 6-5 runs.

GAMMON'D Studio · Beginner

Golden point, golden anchor — the geometry that makes one triangle the most contested real estate in the game.

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Players

1946–2018 · Analytical clarity

The game's greatest teacher. His 1976 book 'Backgammon' turned folk wisdom into a framework of safe-vs-bold decisions still used today.

1979– · Error-rate discipline

World champion and leader of Japan's modern school — meticulous preparation, ruthless self-review and the lowest error rates ever recorded.

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