Playing 8/3 6/3 is now the more popular play for the five-three opening roll. Though most backgammon players didn't think much of this move in the past, there came a change of heart. That came about with the help of modern-day analysis with the aid of computer simulations. Today, playing 8/3 6/3 is the real dominant and recommended play for the five-three backgammon opening roll. During the 70's, most backgammon players only saw doing a 13/10 13/8 as the only viable option that effectively plays the five-three opening roll. Doing 13/10 13/8 brings down two builders from your mid-point on the backgammon board. This play takes some risk during the backgammon opening roll. Your blot on the 10-point is bit vulnerable to attack. A lot of players back then saw making the three-point on your side of the backgammon board as significantly irrelevant. Some would say that though the three-point is indeed a home board point, it is way too deep and would especially be of little use this early in the backgammon game. Backgammon players saw the decreased mobility as a distinctly huge disadvantage in the long run. Another opinion is that making the three-point (i.e. by playing 8/3 6/3 in the opening roll) isn't going to be a significant blocking point. Again, the reason is that the three-point seems way too deep and that you're only making room for trouble later in the game. Modern analysis aided by hundreds of computer simulated games has now spoken otherwise. In fact, playing 8/3 6/3 has a clear and distinct higher equity compared to the 13/10 13/8 play in backgammon money play. The equity for the 8/3 6/3 play is around +.0638. This is far better than 13/10 13/8's +.0042 equity during match play or backgammon money play. But that's not where the advantages stop, there's more to the 8/3 6/3 backgammon opening play. Playing 8/6 6/3 for this backgammon opening roll makes a home board point. The three-point on your side of the backgammon board is really very important simply because it's a home board point. Every new home board point you make in a backgammon game gives your opponent an added reason to play conservatively. Any blot your opponent leaves on the backgammon board that is hit will be harder to enter from the bar. With the 8/3 6/3 play for the five-three backgammon opening roll you have already established a point on the home board safe from any threat. This play has now become a huge favorite among backgammon players.
The 8/3 6/3 Opening Play in Backgammon