1. Game overview
Backgammon is a two-player race and blocking game played with fifteen checkers per player, two dice, a 24-point board and—when match or money rules use it—a doubling cube. The first player to bear off all fifteen checkers wins.
2. Standard setup
Each player begins with two checkers on the opponent’s 24-point, five on the 13-point, three on the 8-point and five on the 6-point. Players move in opposite directions toward their own home boards.
3. Moving checkers
Use each die as a separate move. A checker may move to an open point: no opposing checkers, any number of your own checkers, or exactly one opposing checker. Doubles are played four times.
4. Hitting a blot
A single opposing checker on a point is a blot. Landing on it sends that checker to the bar. A player with a checker on the bar must re-enter it before moving anything else.
5. Entering from the bar
Barred checkers enter into the opponent’s home board according to the dice. A point occupied by two or more opposing checkers is closed and cannot be entered. If neither die permits entry, the turn is lost.
Position example: two opposing men are on the bar while the home board is heavily blocked.
6. Bearing off
You may bear off only after all fifteen checkers are in your home board. Exact rolls bear off the corresponding point; higher rolls may bear off from the highest occupied point when permitted.
7. Doubling cube
When the doubling cube is in use, a player may offer a double before rolling. The opponent may take and continue at the higher stake or pass and lose at the current cube value.
8. Gammon and backgammon
A gammon occurs when the loser has borne off no checkers. A backgammon occurs when the loser has borne off none and still has a checker on the bar or in the winner’s home board.