Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world, combining strategy, timing, and a little luck in a race to bear off your checkers before your opponent. If you've ever looked at a backgammon board and felt intimidated by the triangles, dice, and doubling cube, this guide breaks the rules down step by step. By the end, you'll know how to set up a backgammon board, move your checkers, hit and re-enter from the bar, and use basic strategy to start winning games — no experience required.
What You Need to Play Backgammon
- A backgammon board (24 triangular "points," divided into four quadrants by a central bar)
- 15 checkers per player (light and dark)
- Two dice per player
- One doubling cube (numbered 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64)
Setting Up the Board
Each player's 15 checkers start in a fixed position:
- 2 checkers on your 24-point
- 5 checkers on your 13-point
- 3 checkers on your 8-point
- 5 checkers on your 6-point
The board is split into your home board and outer board, and your opponent's home board and outer board, separated by the bar. Points are numbered 1–24, but they run in opposite directions for each player — your 1-point is your opponent's 24-point.
How Movement Works
Players roll two dice each turn and move checkers that number of points, always toward their own home board. You can move one checker the total of both dice, or split the dice between two different checkers. Rolling doubles (e.g., two 4s) lets you play that number four times instead of two.
You can land on:
- An open point
- A point occupied only by your own checkers
- A point with exactly one opposing checker (this "hits" it — see below)
You cannot land on a point held by two or more of your opponent's checkers.
Hitting, the Bar, and Re-Entering
If you land on a point with a single opposing checker, you hit it — that checker is sent to the bar. A player with a checker on the bar must re-enter it into the opponent's home board before making any other move. If the opponent's home board is fully blocked, you're stuck on the bar until an opening appears.
Bearing Off and Winning the Game
Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board, you can start bearing off — removing checkers from the board based on your dice rolls. The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins.
If your opponent hasn't borne off a single checker when you finish, you win a gammon (double points). If they still have a checker in your home board or on the bar, it's a backgammon (triple points).
The Doubling Cube Explained
The doubling cube lets either player raise the stakes of the game before rolling. If you think you're clearly ahead, you can offer to double the value of the game; your opponent either accepts (and play continues at double stakes) or declines (and forfeits the game at the current value). This single feature is what separates casual backgammon from serious, strategic play.
5 Beginner Strategy Tips
- Don't leave blots unnecessarily. A single exposed checker (a "blot") is vulnerable to being hit.
- Build your home board early. A strong home board makes it harder for your opponent to re-enter after being hit.
- Prioritize escaping your back checkers. Checkers stuck deep in your opponent's territory are at constant risk.
- Use doubles aggressively. Rolling doubles gives you four moves — use them to build points or escape danger.
- Think before you double. Only offer the doubling cube when you have a clear, measurable advantage.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
- Racing forward without checking whether you're leaving blots exposed
- Ignoring the doubling cube entirely (it's a core part of strategic play, not an optional extra)
- Trying to bear off before all 15 checkers are actually in your home board
Ready to start playing? Shop our backgammon sets — from compact travel boards to premium wooden tournament-size editions.