When you win the opening roll-off, you’re not actually rolling for the opener — you use both dice as your first move. There are 15 unique combinations (no doubles, since doubles are re-rolled at the start), and computer rollouts have settled on a near-consensus best play for each.

Here’s the cheat sheet, sorted from the strongest opening to the trickiest:

The point-makers (always make the point)

These rolls let you make a point in your inner board or build the bar point. Always take it.

3-1: Make your 5-point (24/23, 6/5). The strongest opening, period.
6-1: Make your bar point (13/7, 8/7). Builds toward the prime.
4-2: Make your 4-point (8/4, 6/4). Quietly solid.

The runners (run a back checker)

When you can’t make a point, advance one of your back checkers.

6-5: Run all the way (24/13). “Lover’s leap” — the only roll where one checker travels the full distance in one move.
6-4: 24/14, getting one back checker to safety.
6-3: 24/15, similar idea.

The splits (separate the back checkers)

Splitting creates flexibility but leaves you vulnerable to a hit.

5-2: 13/8, 24/22. Building your 8-point stack while splitting the back.
4-1: 13/9, 24/23. The “slot” play — risky but high-equity.
3-2: 13/11, 13/8. Builders without splitting.

The builders (drop builders into your outer board)

5-3: Make your 3-point (8/3, 6/3). Slightly inferior to building, but acceptable.
5-1: 13/8, 24/23. Splitting the back for flexibility.
4-3: 13/10, 13/9. Two builders into the outer board.
6-2: Run a back checker (24/18) or play 13/5 — both are fine.

The trickier ones

2-1: Slot the 5-point (13/11, 24/23) or play more conservatively. The slot is theoretically best.

How to actually use this

Memorize the top 5 (3-1, 6-1, 4-2, 6-5, 5-3) — they cover ~30% of opening rolls and have unambiguous answers. The rest you’ll absorb through play. The penalty for an “okay” opening over the “best” opening is small (a few hundredths of an equity point), so don’t agonize.

Want to drill these? Start practice mode and try each opening — you’ll feel the difference within 10 games.