How to Play Backgammon: The Rules Explained Simply
Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world – and its rules are quicker to learn than many people think. Here is everything you need for your first game, step by step.
The goal of the game
Each player has 15 checkers. The two players move in opposite directions around the 24 narrow triangles (the “points”) of the board. The first player to bring all of their checkers into their home board and then take them off the board wins. How the checkers start is shown in our guide to the backgammon setup.
Rolling and moving
- Who starts? Each player rolls one die. The higher number starts and plays both numbers.
- Moving: The two numbers are two separate moves. With a 5 and a 2 you move one checker 5 points and one checker 2 points – or a single checker 5 and then 2 more.
- Doubles: With two equal numbers (for example 4 and 4) you move four times 4 points.
- Blocked points: You may not land on a point held by two or more opposing checkers.
- Must play: If possible, you must use both numbers. If only one can be played, it must be the higher one when possible. If no move is possible, the roll is lost.
Hitting and entering
If an opposing checker stands alone on a point (a “blot”), you can hit it by landing there. The hit checker goes onto the middle strip, the “bar”.
A player with a checker on the bar must bring it back into play before moving anything else. It enters in the opponent’s home board: with a 3, for example, onto the third point. If that point is blocked, that number cannot be used. If all suitable points are blocked, you miss your turn.
Bearing off
Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board (the last six points of your route), you may take them off – this is called bearing off. A 4 removes a checker from the four-point. If there is none, you must move a checker inside the home board with the 4. If no checkers remain on higher points, a high number may bear off from the highest occupied point.
If one of your checkers is hit while bearing off, it must travel all the way back into your home board before you continue.
Who wins?
| Result | When? | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Single game | The loser has borne off at least one checker. | 1 |
| Gammon | The loser has not borne off any checker. | 2 |
| Backgammon | As gammon, and the loser still has a checker on the bar or in the winner’s home board. | 3 |
The doubling cube can raise the stakes even further – see the doubling cube explained. Once you know the rules, our strategy tips for beginners will help you take the next step.
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