Backgammon is one of the oldest games known on earth, but not many people actually know the backgammon rules. Learn how to play backgammon and the key steps to start a game right here.
The main principle of the backgammon rules
Backgammon is a race game between two players.
Each player has 15 checkers (also called men) that they need to bring home faster than their opponent. The checkers move on a board composed of 24 triangles, also known as points.
If you are new to the game, understanding the backgammon board setup is the best place to start.
Practice the Backgammon Rules Online
The fastest way to really understand the backgammon rules is to practice a few games.
If you’re playing on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, Backgammon Cash offers one of the smoothest free-to-play backgammon apps available today.
You can play unlimited games for free against real players worldwide and get comfortable with moves, hits, and bearing off — without risking any money.
If you want to compare platforms or play competitively, you can also explore the best online backgammon websites available worldwide.
The Backgammon Board
The board is divided into 4 sections of 6 points each — two home boards and two outer boards, one for each player.
One player moves their checkers clockwise, while the other plays counterclockwise. The movement of the checkers is determined by the roll of 2 dice. The number on each die indicates the number of points a checker is allowed to advance.
During the game, players try to bring all their checkers into their home board, then bear them off — meaning taking them completely off the board.
Starting a Backgammon Game
At the beginning of every game, the checkers of both players are placed symmetrically on the board.
The white checkers move clockwise to reach the top right part of the board (white inner board), while the black checkers move counterclockwise to reach the bottom right (black inner board).
A player can never move a checker backward.
The game starts with each player throwing one die. The player with the highest number makes the first move — so a game can never start with a double. The two dice from the opening roll are played as two separate moves (you cannot combine them as a double).
From that point, players take turns moving their checkers according to the rules below.
The Rules of Movement
- A checker can land freely on any empty point, or any point already occupied by your own checkers
- A player can stack as many of their own checkers as they want on a single point
- A checker cannot land on a point occupied by two or more of the opponent’s checkers — it can, however, pass over such a point freely
- A lone checker on a point is called a blot and can be hit by the opponent
- If a player rolls a double, they play that number four times instead of two
- If there is any legal way to play a roll, it must be played — even at a disadvantage to the player
- If only one of the two dice can be played, the higher number must be used if possible
Hitting and the Bar
When a player lands on a blot (a single opponent checker), the blot is hit and placed on the bar — the ridge running down the middle of the board.
A player with one or more checkers on the bar cannot move any other checkers until all their checkers on the bar have re-entered the game.
To re-enter from the bar, a player must roll a number corresponding to an open point in the opponent’s inner board (a point not covered by two or more opponent checkers). Think of the 6 points in the inner board as gates numbered 1 to 6.
Example: If your opponent controls points 2, 3, 4, and 6 in their inner board, you need to roll a 1 or a 5 to re-enter.
Tip: If re-entering from the bar feels confusing, playing a few live games makes it click instantly. Free apps like Backgammon Cash let you practice these situations naturally as they come up.
If no re-entry is possible — all 6 points in the opponent’s inner board are closed — the player loses their entire turn and must try again next roll.
One of the main strategies in backgammon is to close as many points in your inner board as possible while hitting opponent blots, keeping them stuck on the bar.
You’ll find more about this in our backgammon strategy guides.
What If You Can’t Move?
If the roll of the dice produces no legal move at all — for example, every point you could move to is blocked — you simply lose your turn. Your opponent then rolls and continues. This is called a forced pass and is a normal part of the game.
Bearing Off
Once all 15 of your checkers are inside your home board, you can start bearing off — removing checkers from the board entirely. The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins the game.
To bear off, roll the dice and remove checkers from the corresponding points:
- If you roll a 6 and have a checker on the 6-point, remove it
- If you roll a number but have no checker on that point, you must move a checker from a higher-numbered point toward a lower one
- If you roll a number higher than any occupied point, you may bear off a checker from the highest occupied point
Example: You roll 5-2. Your 5-point and 6-point are empty, but you have checkers on the 4-point. You can use the 5 to bear off a checker from the 4-point (next highest available). You can use the 2 to bear off from the 2-point if it’s occupied, or move down if not.
Important: If any of your checkers get hit and sent to the bar during the bearing off phase, you must bring that checker all the way back around before continuing to bear off.
Scoring: Gammon and Backgammon
Not all wins are equal in backgammon. The scoring system rewards dominant victories:
- Single game (1 point): The loser has borne off at least one checker by the time the winner finishes
- Gammon (2 points): The winner bears off all 15 checkers before the loser bears off a single one. Worth double.
- Backgammon (3 points): The winner bears off all 15 checkers while the loser still has a checker on the bar or in the winner’s home board. Worth triple.
In casual play, many people play a set number of points (first to 5 or 7 wins the match). Understanding gammons and backgammons is key to making the right decisions during a game.
The Doubling Cube
The doubling cube is a special die marked with the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64. It is used to raise the stakes of a game during play.
At the start of a game, the cube sits in the middle with 64 face up (representing the value “1”). At any point before rolling, a player who feels they have an advantage can offer to double the current stakes. The opponent can accept (the game continues at the new value) or refuse (conceding the game immediately at the current value).
The doubling cube adds a rich strategic layer to backgammon — knowing when to double and when to accept or decline is one of the most important skills to develop.
→ Full guide: How to use the Doubling Cube
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Forgetting you must play all legal moves. If you can play both dice, you must. You cannot voluntarily play only one die to avoid a bad position.
2. Leaving too many blots. A single checker on a point can be hit and sent to the bar. Beginners often leave blots scattered across the board — try to keep checkers in pairs or larger stacks when possible.
3. Not prioritizing the bar. When you have a checker on the bar, it must re-enter before anything else moves. Don’t forget — it’s the most urgent situation in the game.
4. Ignoring the gammon risk. If you’re losing badly, be careful about bearing off too slowly. Your opponent may win a gammon (double points) if you haven’t borne off a single checker.
5. Misunderstanding “cannot pass.” Checkers cannot land on a point held by two or more opponent checkers — but they can freely pass over such points. Many beginners confuse this and think blocked points create an impassable wall.
Play Backgammon Online
The best way to understand and enjoy backgammon is to practice.
If you want to play online, here are two excellent options depending on how and where you play:
- Backgammon Cash – Ideal for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users who want a smooth, free-to-play backgammon app. Free-to-play worldwide. Real money games available in eligible US states.
- Nextgammon – Best overall online backgammon platform, available worldwide with competitive play.
FAQ: Backgammon Rules for Beginners
What happens if both players roll the same number on the opening roll? Both players roll again until someone rolls a higher number. The game cannot begin with a tie.
Can I move a checker backward? No. Checkers always move in one direction — toward your home board. Movement backward is never allowed.
What is a blot? A blot is a single checker sitting alone on a point. It can be hit by the opponent and sent to the bar.
What is a prime? A prime is a series of consecutive points controlled by one player (each with 2 or more checkers). A 6-prime — six consecutive blocked points — is impossible for the opponent to pass and is one of the most powerful positions in the game.
Can both players have checkers on the bar at the same time? Yes. Both players can have checkers on the bar simultaneously. Each must re-enter on their opponent’s inner board before moving other checkers.
What happens if I can’t re-enter from the bar? If all 6 points in your opponent’s inner board are blocked, you lose your entire turn. You keep trying each turn until a point opens up.
What is a gammon? A gammon is when the winner bears off all 15 checkers before the loser has borne off a single one. It counts as double the normal points.
Continue Learning
Now that you know the basic rules, here’s where to go next:
- Backgammon Board Setup — learn the starting position in detail
- How to Use the Doubling Cube — the key to competitive play
- Backgammon Strategy — opening moves, primes, and more
- Best Backgammon Apps — practice on your phone
May the dice be with you! 🎲
What do you mean: “It is not possible for a checker to land, OR PASS on a point already occupied by two or more of his opponent checkers” ???
Of course you can pass over stacked checkers, otherwise you’d both very soon never be able to move!