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Backgammon
Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games, with roots in the Near East over 4,000 years ago. Two players race fifteen checkers around a board of 24 triangular points, guided by dice rolls. It blends luck and skill, which is why the doubling cube and money play make it a favorite of gamblers and strategists alike.
Backgammon Rules
Each player has fifteen checkers arranged in a fixed starting position across the 24 points. On your turn you roll two dice and move checkers toward your home board by the number on each die, using both numbers separately or, with doubles, playing each die's value twice for four moves total.
A point held by two or more enemy checkers is blocked. A single enemy checker, a blot, can be hit — sent to the bar — and must re-enter on the opponent's home board before that player makes any other move. You may not land on points the opponent has made.
Once all fifteen of your checkers reach your home board, you begin bearing off, removing them with dice rolls. The first player to bear off all fifteen wins. Winning before the opponent bears off any checker is a gammon (double stakes); doing so while they still have a checker on the bar or in your home is a backgammon (triple stakes). The doubling cube can raise the stakes mid-game.
Backgammon Strategy & Tips
Make your key points
Building points in your home board and the bar point traps hit checkers and blocks the opponent's escape. Aim to make several points in a row to form a prime.
Avoid leaving blots
A lone checker can be hit and sent all the way back. Move so your checkers pair up on points, especially within range of enemy pieces.
Know when to run or hold
If you're ahead in the race, run your back checkers home and avoid contact. If you're behind, keep an anchor in the opponent's home to hit them as they bear off.
Use the doubling cube wisely
Double when you have a clear advantage but the opponent might still play on, and accept doubles when your winning chances are roughly one in four or better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is backgammon luck or skill?
Both. Dice introduce luck on every roll, but over many games the stronger player wins consistently. Skill lies in choosing the best moves for each roll and in cube decisions.
What does it mean to bear off in backgammon?
Bearing off is removing your checkers from the board once all fifteen have reached your home board. The first player to bear off all of their checkers wins the game.
What is the doubling cube?
It is a six-sided die marked 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 used to raise the stakes. A player who feels ahead can offer to double; the opponent either accepts the higher stakes or forfeits the current value.
What is a gammon?
A gammon is winning before your opponent has borne off any checkers, worth double the stakes. A backgammon, worth triple, is winning while they still have a checker on the bar or in your home board.