Backgammon - Rules, History & Strategy Guide

Backgammon belongs to one of the oldest continuous game families in the world, with ancestors appearing across Persia, Rome, and the broader Mediterranean. The modern form stabilized over centuries and became a club and tournament favorite because the dice create variety without erasing the importance of skill.

That mix of race and contact is what makes backgammon so durable. Some turns are about pure efficiency; others become tactical fights over blots, anchors, and board control.

Each player moves fifteen checkers around the board according to the dice. The goal is to bring all your checkers into the home board and bear them off before your opponent does.

1. Roll two dice and move checkers according to the exact values rolled.
2. If you roll doubles, play the number four times.
3. A checker may not land on a point occupied by two or more opposing checkers.
4. A single opposing checker can be hit and sent to the bar.
5. Once all your checkers are in the home board, begin bearing off to finish the race.

Backgammon strategy changes with the position. A racing position rewards efficiency, while contact positions reward timing, safety, and well-timed aggression.

• Avoid leaving unnecessary blots when the opponent has active hitting numbers.
• Build useful points in your home board and outer board instead of stacking checkers awkwardly.
• Learn when to race and when to maintain contact.
• In close races, count pips carefully before deciding on a bold or quiet move.

Match play with the doubling cube is the standard competitive format, but casual sessions may skip the cube entirely. Nackgammon and hypergammon are well-known relatives that change the opening structure or number of checkers.