Backgammon is a classic board game that has been played for thousands of years. It is a game of skill and strategy, where two players compete to move their 15 checkers off the board before their opponent.
• A backgammon board: The board consists of 24 narrow triangles called points, arranged in four quadrants of six points each. The points are numbered from 1 to 24, with point 1 being the furthest point from the player in his own quadrant, and point 24 being the furthest point from the player in his opponent's quadrant. The board also has a bar in the middle, where hit checkers are placed temporarily.
• 15 checkers for each player: The checkers are usually black and white, but any two contrasting colors can be used. Each player has a home board (the quadrant where he must bring his checkers before bearing them off) and an outer board (the opposite quadrant).
• Two dice for each player: The dice are used to determine how many points a player can move his checkers on each turn. A player must use both dice if possible, and can move one or two checkers according to the numbers rolled.
• A doubling cube: The doubling cube is an optional accessory that can be used to increase the stakes of the game. It is a six-sided dice with the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 on its faces. At the start of the game, the cube is placed in the middle of the board with the number 64 facing up. During the game, either player can propose to double the stakes by turning the cube to the next higher number and offering it to his opponent. The opponent can either accept the double and take possession of the cube, or refuse and forfeit the game.
• Set up the board: Place five checkers on your point 6, three checkers on your point 8, five checkers on your point 13, and two checkers on your point 24. Your opponent does the same on his side of the board, mirroring your setup.
• Roll to start: Each player rolls one dice. The player with the higher number goes first, using both dice as his first roll. If both players roll the same number, they roll again until they get different numbers.
• Move your checkers: On your turn, roll both dice and move your checkers according to the numbers shown. You can move one checker for each dice, or one checker for the total of both dice, as long as you have an open point to land on. You cannot move your checkers to a point that is occupied by two or more of your opponent's checkers. You can also hit your opponent's checkers if they are on a point with only one checker (called a blot). To hit a blot, you move your checker to that point and remove your opponent's checker from the board and place it on the bar.
• Re-enter from the bar: If you have any checkers on the bar, you must re-enter them before you can move any other checkers. To re-enter a checker from the bar, you must roll a number that corresponds to an open point in your opponent's home board.
• Bear off your checkers: Once you have moved all your checkers into your home board, you can start bearing them off. To bear off a checker, you must roll a number that matches the point where the checker is located, or a higher number.
• Win the game: The first player to bear off all his checkers wins the game. If you win by bearing off all your checkers before your opponent bears off any of his checkers, you win and score double points. If you win by bearing off all your checkers while your opponent still has any checkers in your home board or on the bar, you win a backgammon and score triple points.
Enjoy!
