I have become a recent fan of the backgammon roll six-two. Pen name 26s. The whats-it-about nature of this unicorn opening roll, a toss with sole intent to stir up trouble, and then some. But why? Why indeed? The reason must be simple. Why always fighting? Perhaps a tragic neglect and mistreatment during childhood? Never quite as good. Ignored.

Sure, the roll is a natural, although few recognize it as such. Six-two broods about a place in the family of natural first rolls in any new game, claimed as its birthright. But not heartily endorsed. The rolls 31s and 42s in the opening stand aloof inside the home board. Five-three joins the home room party with a second-tier point, but daddy’s money contributes the full eight pips. Five-three is accepted into the best-roll fraternity, along with the immigrant 61s who must remain outside the inner sanctum. Of course, six-one must do more useful work for less pay, but the baritone quartet of blocking points all deserve natural opening status.

In a game where runners volunteer and train for the final telling mission, the magical roll of 65s is a natural by class and social accolade. A six-five run to safety is the quintessence of a natural roll, in the opening or anytime thereafter. The fifth element of antiquity.

Five natural openings for Black. And the natural toss of black 62s. Make the big split to White’s barpoint then bring a spare black builder from the stacked midpoint. What else? Nothing else. It is a natural then, the roll 62s. The only playable choice for 62s in a high-stakes game. Now a modern six-pack of natural openings. Any disagreement? Say otherwise and 62s will abruptly fight in this game, whether during the endgame, or after the consequences of a blot-hitting contest, or with a blitz, or even as the last breath of a dying game exhales to save a costly gammon. If still standing, then fight and fight some more. Six-two punches well above its weight into the august club of naturals.

Notably, 62s is suited for battle. The big split directly covers the outfield of White. The spare blot from the midpoint builds close to home yet stays remarkably safe. Only one white toss hits. An optimist sees a Christmas list of improvements under the tree: a new home point soon, and a high anchor, plus an attack directed at White on all four tables. Not bad for a roll of average pips.

White must rouse her fighting spirit to match the challenge and the many threats directly. Face to face. Now. With violence. White’s gamut of opening replies to Black’s initial toss of 62s boils down to hit something, hit anything, hit everything, and strengthen the home board when possible.

So it begins. Somebody waves a darkened shillelagh to bash something, others reveal stilettos, another picks up a rock from the pathway, and suddenly the deadly brawl spreads like an epidemic.

62s … a recent fan