Hello, newbie here so please be gentle.

First roll of the game (and for me) is 3-3. Is not the best roll 13-10, 13-10, 10-7, 10-7 (thus blocking the opponent from moving his/her 1 point with a 6 roll)?

I've played several backgammon programs and they all play 13-10, 13-10, 6-3, 6-3?

Have I been playing this wrong all these years?

In real backgammon (money games or tournaments) you can't roll a double on the opening roll. There's a minor variation which allows a player who wins the opening roll to reroll, and if he chooses that and then rolls a double, it stands. But no tournaments are played that way and I've never played a money game where that was in effect.

However, if you're playing with friends who've adopted this rule, or against a program which will allow you to do it, the best play with an opening 3-3 is 8/5(2) 6/3(2), making a strong inner board while unstacking the 6-point. The second-best choice is 24/21(2) 13/10(2), making a good anchor, unstacking the midpoint, and creating tons of point-making numbers on the next roll.

The trouble with your play is --

> The 7-point isn't as strong as the good inner points like the 5-point and 4-point.

> Your back men haven't moved yet.

> You don't have a lot of rolls to keep improving your position.

Hope this helps.