How to Play Backgammon: Rules, Setup, and Strategy – wood-expressions

How to Play Backgammon: Rules, Setup, and Strategy

Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games in the world, blending strategy and luck as players race to move their pieces around the board and bear them off before their opponent.

Easy to learn yet full of depth, Backgammon has remained a favorite for thousands of years and continues to be enjoyed by players of all skill levels.

History of Backgammon

Backgammon dates back over 5,000 years, with one of the earliest known boards discovered in the ancient city of Ur (around 3000 B.C.). The game was widely played in ancient Rome under the name ludus duodecim scriptorum, meaning “the game of twelve lines.”

The Greeks embraced the game and still consider it a national pastime today. Across Europe, it has been known by different names, including “tric-trac” in France and “tavola reale” in Italy.

The modern name “Backgammon” is linked to Englishman Edmond Hoyle, who formalized the rules in 1743. His standardized version remains the foundation for international play today.

What You Need to Play

Backgammon board (with 24 triangles, also called points)
30 checkers (15 per player)
2 dice
1 doubling cube (optional for advanced play)

Number of Players

2 players

Objective of the Game

The goal of Backgammon is to move all your pieces around the board and bear them off before your opponent does.

The first player to remove all their pieces wins the game.

Backgammon Setup

Each player starts with 15 pieces arranged in a standard layout across the board’s points.

The board is divided into:

Inner board (home board)
Outer board

Each player moves their pieces in a specific direction toward their home board.

How to Play Backgammon

Each player rolls one die to determine who goes first.
The player with the higher number begins.
Players take turns rolling two dice.
Each die represents a separate move.

You may move one piece twice or two different pieces once each.
Pieces move forward according to the numbers rolled.

Movement Rules

Players move in one direction around the board
You cannot land on a point occupied by two or more opponent pieces
A single opposing piece can be hit and sent to the bar

Hitting and Re-Entering

If you land on a point with only one opponent checker (a “blot”), you capture it
The captured piece is placed on the bar
That player must re-enter the piece before making other moves

Doubles Rule

If you roll doubles (same number on both dice):

You play the number four times instead of two
Example: Rolling double 4s = four moves of 4

Bearing Off

Once all your pieces are in your home board:

You can begin bearing off (removing pieces from the board)
The exact number must be rolled to remove a piece

How Long Does a Game Take?

Casual games: 15–30 minutes
Competitive matches: 30–60+ minutes

Strategy Tips for Beginners

Move pieces safely to avoid leaving single checkers exposed
Try to control key points on the board
Use doubles to your advantage
Balance risk and timing when racing to bear off

Watch the Tutorial

➡ Watch the How to Play Backgammon tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Backgammon a game of luck or skill?

Backgammon combines both—dice introduce chance, while strategy determines how effectively you play each roll.

How many pieces does each player have?

Each player starts with 15 checkers.

What happens when you roll doubles?

You get to move four times instead of two, making doubles a powerful advantage.

Start Playing Backgammon Today

➡DOWNLOAD THE WE GAMES INSTRUCTIONS.

Backgammon is a timeless game that has entertained players for thousands of years. Whether you're playing casually or competitively, it offers the perfect mix of strategy and excitement.

Explore our collection of Backgammon games and start playing today.