<p>Either choice is legal. <a href="http://www.bkgm.com/faq/BasicRules.html#can_i_play_low_number_first_when_bearing_off_" rel="noreferrer">Here's a reference</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Q: Can I play low number first when bearing off?</p>
<p>Yes, you may play your numbers in either order, as long as each number is played legally.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-07T21:56:13.513Z
2017-07-07T21:56:13.513Z
2020-06-17T09:01:24.697Z
Benjamin Cosman
<p>Actually the rules seem to be unclear. My house rule is to always play EXACT dice moves if possible. Any moves leftover instead of being wasted as in normal play can then be used to bear off. When using moves this way the checker on the highest numbered point (furthest away from the board's edge) is taken off. So using my rule you would NOT be able to bear any checkers off.  </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-26T06:28:14.077Z
The rules are **not** unclear at all, and your statement here is completely false. While you are always allowed to create and play any house rules mutually acceptable to all players, recognize that you are no longer playing ***standard backgammon***.
Forget I was ever here
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-26T01:41:12.350Z
2018-09-26T01:41:12.350Z
user25127
<p>Suppose I am bearing off and have two checkers left, one on the 6 point and one on the 4 point. If I roll 5 and 3, is it legal to move the checker on the 6 point to the 3 point and then bear off the checker on the 4 point? Or am I required to make full use of my dice by moving both checkers to the 1 point?</p>

<p>Where can I find a reference to indicate which of these is correct?</p>

<backgammon>
Backgammon bearing off rules
Bolton Bailey
# Backgammon bearing off rules

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-07-07)

Suppose I am bearing off and have two checkers left, one on the 6 point and one on the 4 point. If I roll 5 and 3, is it legal to move the checker on the 6 point to the 3 point and then bear off the checker on the 4 point? Or am I required to make full use of my dice by moving both checkers to the 1 point?

Where can I find a reference to indicate which of these is correct?

**Tags:** backgammon


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-07-07. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

Either choice is legal. [Here's a reference](http://www.bkgm.com/faq/BasicRules.html#can_i_play_low_number_first_when_bearing_off_):

> Q: Can I play low number first when bearing off?
>
> Yes, you may play your numbers in either order, as long as each number is played legally.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2018-09-26. Score: -2

Actually the rules seem to be unclear. My house rule is to always play EXACT dice moves if possible. Any moves leftover instead of being wasted as in normal play can then be used to bear off. When using moves this way the checker on the highest numbered point (furthest away from the board's edge) is taken off. So using my rule you would NOT be able to bear any checkers off.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: The rules are **not** unclear at all, and your statement here is completely false. While you are always allowed to create and play any house rules mutually acceptable to all players, recognize that you are no longer playing ***standard backgammon***.  

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