Backgammon Rules

How to Play Backgammon Board Game

Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world, combining elements of strategy, luck, and tactical movement.

Two players compete to move all their checkers around and off the board before their opponent. With a unique blend of dice rolls, blocking tactics, and bearing off strategy, Backgammon is simple to learn but deep in skill.

Preparations, Starting Position & Setup

• Players: 2
• Equipment:
  • Backgammon board (24 narrow triangles called points)
  • 15 checkers per player (typically black and white)
  • 2 six-sided dice
  • 1 doubling cube (optional, for scoring)
  • Dice cups (optional)

Checker Setup:

• 2 checkers on opponent’s 24-point
• 5 checkers on player’s 13-point
• 3 checkers on player’s 8-point
• 5 checkers on player’s 6-point

The board is split into four quadrants: each player has a home board and an outer board.

Gameplay

Here is how the game runs:

Movement

• Players alternate turns, rolling two dice and moving their checkers accordingly.
• Each die represents a separate move. Example: a roll of 3 and 5 = one checker 3 spaces + another 5 spaces, or one checker moved 3 then 5.
• Checkers move in one direction only: from the opponent’s home board to the player’s home board.
• Doubles: Played twice (e.g., double 4 = four moves of 4).

Hitting and Entering

• Landing on a single opposing checker (a blot) = hit. Opponent’s checker goes to the bar.
• A checker on the bar must re-enter before other moves are made.
• Entry is based on dice rolls (e.g., a roll of 2 allows entry to point 2 of opponent’s home board if it’s open).

Blocking

• A point with two or more checkers is closed to the opponent.
• Opponents cannot land or enter on blocked points.

Winning the Game

Once all 15 checkers are in a player’s home board, they begin bearing off:

• A checker can be borne off by rolling the exact number needed to move it off.
• If a roll is higher than needed, remove from the highest occupied point below that number.
• The first player to bear off all checkers wins.

Scoring Variations:

• Single Game: Normal win
• Gammon: Opponent hasn’t borne off any checkers → double points
• Backgammon: Opponent still has checkers on the bar or in winner’s home board → triple points

Strategies and Tips

• Focus on building blocks → Create secure points with two or more checkers.
• Minimize vulnerable blots → Avoid leaving singles exposed.
• Use doubles wisely → Maximize strong rolls for blocking or racing.
• Master bearing off → Spread checkers to cover more points for flexibility.

Overview of the Game Rules

• Each player rolls 2 dice per turn
• Move checkers based on dice results
• Hit blots to send them to the bar
• All checkers must reach the home board before bearing off
• First to bear off all checkers wins
• Optional scoring: single, gammon, backgammon