Backgammon Opening 6-5: Lover's Leap Explained
Published on October 20, 2026
The 6-5 roll is different from the rolls covered so far in this series. On 3-1, 6-1, 5-3, and 4-2, you make a new point in your own home board. With 6-5, that isn’t possible – instead, a completely different type of move comes into play: the running play.
The standard move: 24/13
The best move after a 6-5 roll is 24/13: a single checker runs in one bound from the 24-point, through the 18-point, all the way to your own 13-point.
- 24/18: The checker moves with the 6, from point 24 to point 18.
- 18/13: The same checker then moves with the 5, from point 18 to point 13.
This move is known as “Lover’s Leap” – a checker “leaps” in a single roll from the very back all the way to your own midpoint, the 13-point, where you already have checkers from the starting position.
Why is this move so strong?
The 18-point is empty in the starting position, and the 13-point is already occupied by your own checkers – so the checker runs straight through without leaving a blot anywhere. At the same time, the move brings one of your two back checkers to complete safety in a single roll, far away from the opponent’s home board. No other combination of two dice covers such a large, entirely safe distance from the starting position – which is why there’s little debate about this move in practice.
Typical mistake with the 6-5 roll
An occasional mistake is splitting the 6 and the 5 across two different checkers, for example with 24/18, 13/8. That also brings a checker into play, but leaves a blot on the 18-point that your opponent can hit. Running the full distance with a single checker to the 13-point avoids this risk entirely and should almost always be preferred.
What comes after the 6-5 roll?
After Lover’s Leap, one lagging checker remains on the 24-point, while the second has already reached your own midpoint safely. From here, the focus shifts to securing the remaining home-board points and preparing a prime. For an overview of all standard opening moves, see Backgammon Openings: The Best Moves.
Frequently asked questions
Why not make a point on 6-5, like on 3-1, 5-3, or 4-2?
With a 6 and a 5, there's no way to safely make a new point from the starting position – every combination that tries leaves a blot. The running play 24/13, on the other hand, is completely safe from start to finish, which makes it the clearly better choice.
Is the move 24/13 really risk-free?
Yes. The intermediate point, 18, is empty in the starting position, and the destination, 13, is already occupied by your own checkers. The checker runs straight through without leaving a blot anywhere.
Where does the name "Lover's Leap" come from?
It's an established term in backgammon literature for exactly this move: a single checker "leaps" in one bound from the very back all the way to your own midpoint, escaping any danger in the opponent's home board immediately.
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!
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