Backgammon Opening 5-3: The Best Move Explained
Published on July 12, 2026
The 5-3 roll is one of the standard rolls where the best response is well established – like 3-1 and 6-1, there’s little serious debate about the right move here.
The standard move: 8/3, 6/3
The best move after a 5-3 roll is 8/3, 6/3: one checker moves from point 8 to point 3, a second from point 6 also to point 3. Together they build the 3-point.
- 8/3: The checker from point 8 moves to point 3.
- 6/3: The checker from point 6 also moves to point 3.
The 3-point sits deep in your own home board and rounds out the two other key building points – the golden point (5-point) and the bar point (7-point) – into a potential future prime.
Why is this move so strong?
Just like 8/5, 6/5 on a 3-1 roll: this move fully secures a point without leaving a blot. Both checkers land safely on the 3-point, so your opponent gets no shot at all. Alternatives that instead run a checker further forward trade safety for tempo – in rollout analysis, 8/3, 6/3 comes out ahead nearly every time.
Typical mistake with the 5-3 roll
A common mistake is using this roll to attempt an early escape, for example with 24/16. That brings a lagging checker closer to safety, but leaves an exposed checker in the middle of the board – an inviting target for your opponent. The standard move 8/3, 6/3 avoids this risk entirely.
What comes after the 5-3 roll?
With the 3-point secured, your home board keeps filling in – attention turns to the remaining central points, and how several occupied points come together into a real prime. For an overview of all standard opening moves, see Backgammon Openings: The Best Moves.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 3-point as valuable as the 5-point?
No, the 3-point sits further forward in the home board and is somewhat less valuable than the 5-point (the golden point) or the bar point. Still, for a 5-3 roll, it's the best point you can build directly.
Why not run a checker further forward instead?
A running play like 24/16 brings a lagging checker to safety, but leaves a blot on the 16-point. Rollout analysis shows the safe point-make 8/3, 6/3 is usually the stronger choice.
Does the 3-point fit into a later prime?
Yes, together with the 5-point and the bar point, the 3-point can become part of a prime – though usually only after those more valuable points are already secured.
About the Author
Ulf Mayer
I love backgammon in all its forms – whether it's a quick match on my smartphone to pass the time, or a glass of wine alongside a beautiful wooden board with family and friends. As the founder of backgammon-meister.de, I share my passion, tactics, and tips to help both beginners and ambitious players dominate their next match. Dice cup ready? Let's master the game!
backgammon-meister.de has been online since 2008.