Getting Started with Backgammon
Setting Up
Backgammon is a game for two players. Each player has fifteen checkers of their own colour and these are laid out for play on the board as per the illustration. The board has twenty-four narrow triangles called points that alternate in colour and are grouped into four quadrants. Each quadrant consists of six triangles. The quadrants are known as the home board and outer board. The home and outer boards are separated by a ridge that runs down the centre of the board called the bar.
To Start
To start the game, each player throws a single die. The player throwing the highest number moves first and moves his checkers according to the number shown on both dice. After the first roll, the players throw two dice and alternate turns. The numbers shown on the two dice are counted individually and not together. For example, if a three and five are thrown, these two numbers can move one checker three spaces and then five, or five then three. Alternatively, two checkers may be moved, one by three and one by five.
Object of the Game
The object of the game is to move all the checkers according to the numbers shown on the dice. The checkers always move forward to a lower-numbered point around the board and towards the player’s own home board. When all the checkers are in the player’s home board, the player may throw off or remove their checkers from the board, according to the throws of the dice. The aim is to accomplish this more quickly than their opponent. The first player to remove or throw off all their checkers from the board is the winner.
Movement of the Checkers
A checker may only be moved to an open point, one that is not occupied or blocked by two or more opposing checkers. A player must move their checkers according to the throw of the dice, whenever possible. If only one number can be used, it must be the largest, if possible. If a player cannot move at all, the player loses their turn and play passes to their opponent.
If a double is thrown, the total number moved is doubled. For example, if two sixes are thrown, one checker can move six spaces four times, or four checkers can move six spaces each, or, one checker can move six spaces three times and one checker six spaces once. All these combinations of moves are possible.
Hitting and Entering
A point occupied by a single checker of either colour is called a blot. If an opponent’s checker lands on a blot, the blot is hit and then must be removed to the bar. Where a player has one or more checkers on the bar, their first priority is to enter the checker(s) into the opposing home board. A checker is entered back onto the board, by moving it to an open point corresponding to the numbers rolled on the dice. A checker can only be entered into the opponent’s home board on a point that is not occupied by two or more of the opponent’s checkers. If neither point is open, the player loses their turn. If only some, but not all, of the checkers can be entered, the player must enter as many as possible and then forfeit the remainder of their turn. After the last of the player’s checkers have been entered, any remaining unused numbers on the dice must be played, either by moving the checker that was entered or a different checker.
Throwing Off
Once a player has moved all fifteen checkers into their home board, they may start throwing off. A player throws off by rolling a number that corresponds to the point on which a checker sits and then removing that checker from the board. If there is no checker on the point indicated by the dice, the player may move using a checker on a higher-numbered point. If there are no such checkers on high-numbered points, the player can and must remove a checker from the highest point on which one of their checkers sits. It is not an obligation for a player to throw off when they can make another move. If a checker is hit during the throwing off process, the player must take their checker back to their home board before continuing throwing off.
Doubling and Scoring
Backgammon is usually played for an agreed stake per point. Each game starts at one point. In the course of a game, and only at the start of their turn, a player may propose doubling the stakes. A player offered a double may refuse and in this instance, they concede the game and pay one point. Otherwise, the player must accept the double and continue to play the game for the higher stakes. When the player accepts a double, they become the owner of the doubling cube and only they may make the next double. Subsequent doubles played are called redoubles and when a redouble is refused, the player must pay the number of points at stake prior to the redouble. Otherwise, the player becomes the new owner of the cube and the game continues with twice the previous stakes. There is no limit to the number of redoubles allowed in a game.
Gammon and Backgammon
At the end of a game, if a losing player has taken off at least one checker, they only lose the value shown on the doubling cube. If however the loser has not taken off any of their checkers, they are gammoned and lose twice the value of the doubling cube. Where the loser has been gammoned and still has a checker on the bar or in the winner’s home board, they are backgammoned and lose three times the value of the doubling cube.