How to play Backgammon: Complete rules, board setup, gameplay, and strategy tips for beginners.

Backgammon is the world’s oldest board game still played competitively — dating back over 5,000 years. It’s a race: move your 15 checkers around the board and off before your opponent does. Dice provide the luck; strategy determines how you use it.

What You Need

  • Players: 2
  • Board: 24 narrow triangles (points) arranged in 4 quadrants of 6
  • Checkers: 15 per player (2 colors)
  • Dice: 2 standard dice + 1 doubling cube (optional)
  • Goal: Be the first to bear off (remove) all 15 checkers from the board

Board Setup

The board has 24 points numbered 1-24. Your 1-point is in your home board; your 24-point is in your opponent’s home board. Points are numbered opposite for each player.

Starting position (standard):

  • 2 checkers on your 24-point (opponent’s home board)
  • 5 checkers on your 13-point
  • 3 checkers on your 8-point
  • 5 checkers on your 6-point

Your opponent mirrors this setup from their perspective.

Movement Rules

Rolling and Moving

  1. Roll both dice
  2. Move checkers forward (toward your 1-point) by the number shown on each die
  3. You may move one checker for both dice, or two different checkers — one for each die
  4. Each die is a separate move

Example: You roll 5-3. You can move one checker 5 points and another 3 points. Or move one checker 5 then 3 (or 3 then 5) — total of 8 points. The intermediate point must be legal (not blocked).

Doubles

If you roll doubles (same number on both dice), you get 4 moves instead of 2. Rolling double 4s means four moves of 4 points each.

Blocked Points

A point with 2 or more of your opponent’s checkers is blocked — you cannot land on it. A point with only 1 opponent checker is a blot (vulnerable to being hit).

Must Move

You must use both dice if legally possible. If only one die can be used, you must play the higher one. If neither can be used, your turn is skipped.

Hitting and the Bar

If you land on a point with exactly one opponent checker (a blot), that checker is hit — removed from the board and placed on the bar (the raised center divider).

Re-entering from the Bar

A player with checkers on the bar must re-enter them before moving any other checkers:

  1. Roll the dice
  2. Enter the checker on the corresponding point in your opponent’s home board (points 19-24 from your perspective)
  3. The point must not be blocked (2+ opponent checkers)
  4. If you can’t enter, your entire turn is forfeited

Bearing Off

Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board (points 1-6), you can start bearing off:

  1. Roll the dice
  2. Remove checkers from the point matching each die value
  3. If you roll higher than your highest occupied point, you can bear off from the highest occupied point
  4. You can choose to make moves within your home board instead of bearing off if strategically useful

First player to bear off all 15 checkers wins.

Winning Types

Result Condition Stakes
Single game Opponent has borne off at least 1 checker 1× stakes
Gammon Opponent hasn’t borne off ANY checkers 2× stakes
Backgammon Opponent hasn’t borne off any AND still has checkers on the bar or in your home board 3× stakes

The Doubling Cube

The doubling cube adds a betting-like element. Before rolling, you can offer to double the stakes. Your opponent either:

  • Accepts — the game continues at double stakes (they now own the cube)
  • Declines — they forfeit at the current stakes

The cube starts at 1 and can be doubled to 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64. Only the player who was last doubled (or either player if the cube is centered) can propose a double.

Strategy for Beginners

Anchor in Your Opponent’s Home Board

Keep a strong point (2+ checkers) deep in your opponent’s home board. This gives you a landing spot when hit and threatens their checkers as they try to bear off.

Build a Prime

A prime is a wall of consecutive blocked points. A 6-point prime is impassable — your opponent cannot roll high enough to get past it. Build primes to trap opponent checkers behind them.

Don’t Leave Unnecessary Blots

Lone checkers (blots) can be hit. In the early game, some blots are worth the risk. In the late game, avoid them when possible.

Race When You’re Ahead

If your pip count (total distance remaining) is significantly lower, play a racing game — move checkers into your home board quickly and start bearing off. Avoid unnecessary contact.

Know When to Double

If you have a clear advantage (e.g., leading by 15+ pips with good board position), consider doubling. If your opponent accepts, the game is worth more. If they decline, you take a free win.

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