The 13/10 13/9 Play in Backgammon
If you're the type of backgammon player who goes for a quick offensive packed with threats to pressure your opponent, then playing 13/10 13/9 for the four-three opening roll is a good choice. Let's take a look at this offensive gamble in the backgammon opening roll.
The 13/10 13/9 play is quite an interesting approach to the four-three opening roll. By immediately bringing down two builders from the mid-point (i.e. the 13-point of the backgammon board) you are on the immediate look out to build a blockade quickly. Not a bad idea if you're the offensive type of player.
This backgammon play isn't really wasteful in that though it uses both results on the dice for the same purpose. This play for the four-three backgammon opening roll takes advantage of the position of the builders. The blot on the 10-point is quite safe, since it is nine pips away your opponent only has a few good rolls to enable him to hit this blot. Your opponent needs to make a five-four, six-three, or a double three to hit this backgammon checker. That is a pretty safe position during the opening roll in backgammon.
The checker on the nine-point is in a pretty slick position on the backgammon board. This backgammon checker works pretty well with your checkers on the six-point and the eight-point when it comes to making home board points. With the added help of your backgammon checker on the 10-point, you can expect really to make a home board point in your next turn.
These two blots on the backgammon board work very well when it comes to making points further on in the next turn. They also provide excellent coverage of your side of the backgammon board. Your opponent will have to rethink the position before trying to escape the two trapped backgammon checkers.
Another thing you might want to look at is the fact is the position of the blots on the backgammon board. The 10-point and the nine-point can be turned into really nice blocking points in your next turn. In any case you are also close to setting up a good prime early in the game.
If your opponent fails to hit any blot in the reply to the opening roll, then you can expect to make either the bar-point, the four-point, or even your five-point in your next turn.
Doing a 13/10 13/9 is an interesting play for the four-three opening roll. If this play works it'll be devastating for your opponent, just remember that it also packs some risks.
