Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world, and one of the quickest to learn. This guide covers the standard rules — everything you need to play your first game tonight.
The board
The board has 24 narrow triangles called points, divided into four quarters of six points. Each player has a home board and an outer board, and the raised strip down the middle is called the bar. Points are numbered 1 to 24 from each player's own side, with point 1 in that player's home board.
Setting up
Each player has 15 checkers of one colour, placed as follows (counting from your own side):
- 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 two players move in opposite directions, each bringing their checkers around the board towards their own home board.
Starting the game
Each player rolls one die. The player with the higher number goes first and moves using the numbers on both dice. If both players roll the same number, they roll again.
Moving your checkers
- Each die is a separate move: with a 5 and a 3 you can move one checker 5 points and another 3 points, or one checker 8 points in total, as long as it can land on an open point along the way.
- A point is open unless two or more of your opponent's checkers occupy it.
- Rolling a double (for example 4 and 4) lets you play that number four times.
- You must use both numbers if you legally can. If only one can be played, you must play it; if either could be played but not both, play the larger one.
Hitting and the bar
A single checker alone on a point is called a blot. If your opponent lands on it, your checker is hit and placed on the bar. A checker on the bar must re-enter in your opponent's home board before you can move any other checker, and it can only enter on an open point that matches a number you rolled.
Bearing off and winning
Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board, you can start bearing off — removing checkers from the board according to the numbers you roll. The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins.
- If the loser has borne off at least one checker, it is a single game.
- If the loser has not borne off any checkers, it is a gammon and counts double.
- If the loser has not borne off any checkers and still has a checker on the bar or in the winner's home board, it is a backgammon and counts triple.
Many players also use a doubling cube to raise the stakes during a match, but you can leave it out while you learn.
Long nardi: the version many families in Armenia play
In Armenia and across the wider region, many families play long nardi. Each player starts with all 15 checkers stacked on a single point (the "head"), both players move in the same direction around the board, and there is no hitting: you simply cannot land on a point occupied by any of your opponent's checkers. Usually only one checker may leave the head per turn, with a few exceptions for doubles on the first roll. House rules vary, so agree on them before you start.
Tips for your first games
- Avoid leaving blots where your opponent can easily hit them.
- Build consecutive blocked points — a "prime" — to trap your opponent's back checkers.
- Don't rush your back checkers; they are useful for hitting later in the game.
Prefer a printable version? Download our backgammon rules (PDF). Looking for a board to learn on? Browse our handmade backgammon sets or read how to choose one.
