Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world, dating back thousands of years. It’s still widely played today thanks to its perfect balance of luck, skill, and strategy. Whether you’re playing casually with friends or getting competitive online, learning the rules of backgammon is easy—and this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start playing.
The Backgammon Board and Setup
A backgammon board is divided into four quadrants, each with six narrow triangles called points, totaling 24 points across the board. The board also has a central divider known as the bar, which separates each player’s home board and outer board.
Each player begins with 15 checkers (also called pieces or men) and places them in the following arrangement:
- 2 checkers on their 24-point
- 5 checkers on their 13-point
- 3 checkers on their 8-point
- 5 checkers on their 6-point
The checkers move in opposite directions. One player moves clockwise around the board, and the other moves counterclockwise. Each player also uses two six-sided dice to determine their move and a doubling cube (marked with 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64) for optional competitive scoring.
Objective of the Game
The goal of backgammon is to move all your checkers into your home board (the quadrant directly to your right) and then bear them off—which means removing them from the board. The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins the game.
There are also scoring distinctions:
- Single win: You bear off all your checkers before your opponent.
- Gammon: You win before your opponent bears off any checkers (2x points).
- Backgammon: You win while your opponent still has checkers on the bar or in your home board (3x points).
Basic Rules of Movement
At the beginning of the game, both players roll one die—the higher roll goes first, using both numbers. On subsequent turns, each player rolls two dice.
The numbers rolled represent two separate moves. For example, a roll of 4 and 2 allows you to move one checker 4 points and another 2 points—or move the same checker 6 points in two steps (provided both intermediate points are open).
If you roll a double (e.g., 3 and 3), you get to play each number twice—four moves total.
You can only move your checkers to:
- Open points (unoccupied)
- Points occupied by your own checkers
- Points occupied by exactly one opposing checker (which you can “hit”)
Hitting and Entering From the Bar
If you land on a point occupied by exactly one of your opponent’s checkers, you hit that checker and send it to the bar. A checker on the bar must re-enter the board through the opponent’s home board before any other move can be made.
To re-enter, you must roll a number that corresponds to an open point in your opponent’s home board. If all those points are blocked (occupied by two or more opposing checkers), you forfeit your turn until you can re-enter.
Bearing Off and Winning the Game
Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board, you may begin bearing off. This means removing checkers from the board based on your dice roll.
If you roll a 5 and a 3, you can bear off a checker from the 5-point and the 3-point. If you don’t have a checker on those points, you must use the roll to move a checker within the home board if possible. If no checker can make a legal move, you may bear off from the next highest occupied point.
The first player to remove all their checkers wins.
The Doubling Cube (Optional for Beginners)
In more advanced or competitive play, the doubling cube adds a layer of strategy. At any time on their turn, a player can offer to double the stakes of the game.
The opponent must then either:
- Accept the double, and play continues at the new stakes, or
- Decline the double, and concede the game at the current value.
After accepting a double, only the receiving player may offer the next double.
Basic Strategy Tips
While dice rolls add an element of chance, backgammon is ultimately a game of strategy. Here are a few beginner tips:
- Build points: Try to occupy points with two or more of your checkers to block your opponent’s movement.
- Avoid blots: A lone checker (called a blot) is vulnerable to being hit.
- Use anchors: Secure a point in your opponent’s home board to create a safety net for re-entry.
- Think ahead: Consider your future moves and don’t just chase short-term gains.
Common Variations and House Rules
Backgammon has evolved over the centuries and across cultures, so it’s common to see variations in how it’s played. Some common ones include:
1. Jacoby Rule
Gammons and backgammons only count if the doubling cube has been used.
2. Crawford Rule
In match play, when a player is one point away from winning, the doubling cube can’t be used for the next game.
2. Beaver Rule
Allows the doubled player to immediately redouble while retaining control of the cube.
Elevate Your Game With Backgammon Sets From Blatt Billiards
Now that you know how to play backgammon, it’s time to enjoy the game in style. At Blatt Billiards, we’re known for our handcrafted custom pool tables—but our dedication to quality extends beyond billiards.
We offer a curated selection of premium backgammon sets and accessories designed to bring elegance and durability to every match. Whether you're a casual player or a seasoned competitor, you'll find the perfect board to match your space and your style. Explore our collection and make every move count.
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