The basics
- Players: 2
- Goal: Be the first to move all your checkers off the board.
- Equipment: A backgammon board, 15 checkers per player, 2 dice, and a doubling cube (optional for scoring).
The setup
Each player has 15 checkers arranged in a mirror setup:
- 2 on opponent’s 24-point
- 5 on own 13-point
- 3 on opponent’s 8-point
- 5 on own 6-point
Checkers move in opposite directions around the board - from your 24-point toward your home board (points 1-6)
How to play
Roll to start:
Each player rolls one die; the higher number starts and plays both dice.
Move your checkers:
You move checkers based on the dice numbers.
A checker can land only on an open point (one with no more than one opposing checker).
You can move one checker twice or two checkers once each - as long as each move is legal.
Hitting & entering:
If you land on a point with one enemy checker, it’s “hit” and placed on the bar.
The opponent must re-enter that checker into your home board before making other moves.
Bearing off:
Once all your checkers are in your home board (points 1-6), start bearing off - removing checkers according to dice rolls.
First player to bear off all 15 wins.
Quick tips
- Build anchors (two or more checkers together) to block your opponent
- Don’t leave blots (single checkers) exposed unless necessary
- Use the doubling cube to raise the stakes when you’re confident
Winning
- Single Game: Opponent bears off at least one checker.
- Gammon (×2 points): Opponent bears off none.
- Backgammon (×3 points): Opponent still has checkers in your home or on the bar.