The first moves of a backgammon game are known as the opening rolls. The game starts by both players rolling a single dice. This play decides which backgammon player will have the advantage of beginning the game. The player who rolls the higher number goes first, by playing the sum of the two numbers just rolled. In the case of a tie, both dice are rethrown in the case of a tie, meaning that the first roll of in backgammon cannot be a double.

The opening roll in backgammon is significant. The roll of the dice indicates how many points, or pips, the player is to move his checkers. The checkers are always moved forward, to a lower-numbered point, which is unoccupied. The backgammon player who makes the opening roll has the entire field at his disposal, and therefore can control the tactics for the entire game.

Of the various permutations of numbers available in the opening roll, it is not necessarily true that the highest number permutation is the best. Many backgammon experts state that the lowest permutation possible in backgammon 2+1 (“2-1 “) offers the best tactical advantage. 3+1 (“3-1”) is another favorite for the experienced backgammon player.

For the opening rolls, In any case, the backgammon player must move checkers according to the number of pips showing on each dice. If  the player rolls a 6 and a 3 (“6-3″) he should move one checker six points forward, and  the other checker three points forward. In most cases, the results of the opening roll in backgammon will allow the player to decide the strategy of the entire game; if he will adopt a defensive, attacking or holding role. After the opening roll, the players in backgammon throw two dice and take alternate turns.