The 24/22 13/10 Opening Play in Backgammon
Split plays are an interesting set of opening rolls in backgammon. Split plays are opening rolls wherein you have to split your back checkers. That would definitely leave at least two checkers open to attack early in a backgammon game. In backgammon, split plays have their strengths and weaknesses. One particular split play we'll tackle is the 24/22 13/10 split play for the three-two opening roll.
Split plays are opening rolls in backgammon that usually have two goals at heart. One is to escape a back checker and the other is to build points either on your side of the backgammon board or on your opponent's side. These opening rolls often take on an aggressive mode of play in backgammon For many backgammon players, the three-two opening roll has two favorite split plays.
The 24/22 13/11 split play is the second favorite split play for the three-two opening roll. The big favorite among backgammon players is to do a 24/21 13/11 for this opening roll. By doing 24/21 13/11 splits the back checkers and slots your opponent's four-point (i.e. your 21-point). This also gives you good coverage of your side of the backgammon board by slotting the 11-point.
Like the 21/21 13/11 play, doing 24/22 13/10 for an opening roll of three-two is a split and build kind of play in backgammon. Like every other split play, you have the opportunity to run your checker on the 22-point to safety in your next turn. The other alternative for this checker is to build the 22-point.
Your blot on the ten-point does add to your coverage but is more vulnerable to attack than the 11-point position during a game of backgammon. Yet, you can still consider this builder quite safe since your opponent can only hit you with a combination of six-three, five-four, or three-three. With this checker in such a position you have better coverage of your side of the backgammon board. You also have more chances to make a home board point with this builder.
This play has one exhibited weakness. That is your next good moves in a game of backgammon will be duplicated. Your back checkers are two pips apart and so are your checkers on the six-point and the eight-point. This means that if you make a roll that can make a point in your home board is also a roll that you can use to make a point using your back checkers.
Except for that, the 24/22 13/10 play for this opening roll is really good. A clear reason why this is a second favorite among backgammon players for this opening roll.