• 6-5    run a back checker

• 6-4    There are 3 acceptable plays. You can make your two point; you can run a back checker all the way out to your 14 point; I prefer runnint a back checker out to your opponent’s bar (24-18), and then bring down one checker off your midpoint (13-9). 

• 6-3    There are two plays: you can run a checker all the way off your 24 point; I prefer to run to your opponent’s bar and bring one down from your midpoint.

• 6-2    Two plays: run all the way; I prefer running to your opponent’s bar and bring one down 13-11.

• 6-3    Make your bar

• 5-4    Two plays: move a back checker up (24-20) and bring one down (13-8), or bring two down from the midpoint (13-8, 13-9). Most of the time it is right to play 24-20.

• 5-3    Make your 3 point

• 5-2    Two plays: I prefer to move a back checker 2 (24-22) and bring one down (13-8), or bring two down (13-8, 13-11)

• 5-1    Generally, it is right to split the back checker and bring one down (24-23, 13-8). 

• 4-3    This move has the most possible variation, depending on score, but generally, the experts agree that it is best to move up 3 off your back point (24-21) and bring the 4 down (13-9). I like to bring both checkers down from my 13 most of the time.

• 4-2    Make your 4 point.

• 4-1    Generally, it is right to split the back checker and bring one down (24-23, 13-9), but it is not a bad gambling play, when gammons are key, to bring one down and slot your 5 point.

• 3-2    This play also has many variations, but generally the experts agree that the best play is to bring you back checker up 3 (24-21) and bring a 2 down from the midpoint (13-11). I prefer to bring two down from the 13 point.

• 3-1    Make your 5 point

• 2-1    Two possibilities: split your back checkers (24-23) and bring one down (13-11); I prefer to play 13-11 6-5 and slot my 5 point.

The match score affects many of these opening moves, and the greatest difference depends on whether it is important to win or save gammons at a particular score.