Backgammon Game Rules

How to Play Backgammon

We highly recommend looking our comprehensive, animated Backgammon Tutorial

You begin by setting up the backgammon board. Every game of backgammon starts by each player throwing a single die. The player who rolls highest begins the game and has to play the first move using the dice that have already been rolled. After that, each player rolls their dice in turn, moving their Checkers around in a U-shape towards their home board. The dots on each die (known as "pips") represent the number of points you can move your checkers around the board. Rolling a double (1 and 1 or a 4 and 4 for example) allows you to make twice the amount of moves. You must always move in a forward direction and checkers may only be moved to an open point.

If you leave one checker exposed on a point, this is known as a blot. If your opponent lands on this blot your checker is removed from the board and placed on the bar .

When you find yourself on the bar you must re-enter your checker(s) back to the board before making any other moves. If there are no points open when you roll your dice you will forfeit your turn.

When all fifteen of your checkers are in your home board you can begin bearing off. You bear off your checkers by rolling a number that corresponds to the point that the checker is sitting on. Bearing off is only permitted when you have all of your checkers in your home board. The first player to bear off all fifteen checkers wins the game.

By default each game is played for a one-point stake. In cash games this is equal to your stake unit, in match play this is equal to one match point. Stakes increased throughout the game using the doubling cube (if it is being used) - if a player refuses the doubling cube, the game is forfeited. At the end of the game, if the losing player has borne off at least one checker, they lose only the value shown on the doubling cube (one point, if there have been no doubles). However, if the loser has not borne off any of their checkers, they are gammoned and lose twice the value of the doubling cube. Worse still, if the loser has not borne off any of his checkers and still has a checker on the bar or in his opponent's home board , they are backgammoned and will lose three times the value of the doubling cube. Backgammons are extremely rare.