How to play Backgammon

How to play Backgammon

Rules

Starting the game

Each player throws a single die.

The player who throws the highest number moves first (much the same with
most board games)
The player will use both their number and their opponent's number to move
the checkers.

If the same number comes up on both dice, the dice must be re-rolled until
different numbers are obtained. When the first move is concluded, players
swap turns by rolling their own dice.


Checker Movements

Checkers can only be moved forward according to the numbers that are shown
on the dice.

Here's where it gets interesting. The numbers on the dice are actually two
individual moves.

One checker can be moved the full amount of each two results or each of
the two numbers can be moved with separate checkers.

What this means is, a throw that shows 4 and 3 would mean that you could
move one checker 7 spaces, or move one checker 4 spaces and other checker
3 spaces.

You cannot move your checker to a point with two or more of your
opponent's checkers on it.

You can move the checker to any point occupied by your own checkers or to
a point with 1 or none of your opponent's checkers on it.

When you roll doubles, you can move double the amount shown. This is a
clear advantage and many players win Backgammon this way.

By this I mean, If a double 2 is rolled, the player may move two points
four times, in any possible combination.

One checker a total of six spaces and another two spaces.

Four different checkers two spaces each.
Two checkers a total of four spaces.
One checker a total of eight spaces.
Two checkers a total of two spaces each and another a total of four
spaces.

The full roll must be used when possible including doubles. When one
number can be played it must be the higher number of the two if possible.
If doubles are thrown, you must play as many of the 4 as possible.

Points

When two or more checkers are on the same point your opponent cannot land
on that point but can jump over it and move past it. There is no limit to
the number of checkers a player may have on specific point.

When a player has several points in a row it is called a prime. When you
create a prime it can be a very strong strategy and if there are six
points made in a row it is then called a full prime and effectively any
checkers behind this prime are trapped and cannot be moved until the prime
is broken.


Hitting Blots

When a single checker is left on a point is called a blot. Since checkers
of opposite colors may not take over the same point, when opponents's
checker lands on a blot it is removed and replaced with their own checker.
This is called a hit and the removed checker is placed on the bar.

The Bar

The middle strip that separates the inner and outer boards is called the
bar and once a checker is placed there, it remains out of play until it
can be entered in the opponent's inner board by a throw of the dice.

Entering from the Bar

In order for a checker to be entered from the bar you must on the next
roll, roll one of the numbers to correspond to a point unoccupied by two
or more of the opponent's checkers in their home board. If you cannot
enter because both points indicated by the dice are occupied, the turn
passes to your opponent.

In case all 6 points in their board are taken it is impossible to enter
until your opponent opens up a point in their board. This is called a shut
out or closed board.

If a player has more than one checkers on the bar they must all be
re-entered before any other checkers can be moved. When all of the
checkers have been entered, any unused numbers on the dice may be used to
move the checker that was entered or any other checker.

The Bear Off

When all of your 15 checkers are in your home board you can start the
final process of the game, which is called the Bear Off. You can bear them
off according to the numbers on the dice. For example if you roll a 5-4
you can take a checker from the 5pt. and one from the 4pt.

If you don't have checkers there you can move the remaining checkers
within your home board. In case you roll a 4 and have no checkers on the
5pt or 4pt, you must remove a checker of the next highest point with
checkers on it. When you roll a 4 and have no checkers on the 4pt but you
have on the 5pt you must move your checker from the 5pt to the 1pt.

If your opponent has a checker on the bar you do not have to bear a
checker off if you have another legit move that can be useful at that
time.

If while you are bearing off, your opponent hits a blot then you must
bring that particular checker all the way back before you can continue to
bear off. The first player to bear off all 15 checkers is the winner.

Doubling

The doubling cube is placed on the bar or at the side with the number 64
on the top before the start of the game which points that the game is
played for one point.

If during the game one of the players feels that their chances are high to
win they can turn the cube so that the 2 is facing up which indicates that
they choose to double the stakes. You can only double before your roll the
dice and only on your turn.

If your opponent decides to decline or pass the double they forfeit the
stakes of the game. If they decide to accept the double then they play for
double the stakes. Either player can initiate the double but when accepted
the player who took it is the only one who can re-double the stakes. You
can redouble the stakes as many times as you want.

Crawford Rule

It states that the player who is trailing cannot double for one whole game
once the leader is one point away from winning the match. The trailing
player has nothing to lose so it allows the leader one undoubled game to
try and finish the match.

Scoring

Single Game

A game is won when a player 'bears off' all their checkers. The player
wins the number of points at stake which are indicated by the cube or just
1 point if the cube was not used assuming the losing player has removed at
least one checker from the board.

Gammon (Double Game)

If the losing player has not removed any of their checkers from the board
a gammon occurs. In this scenario the player wins twice the amount
indicated by the cube.

Backgammon (Triple Game)

When the winner bears off all of their checkers before their opponent is
able to bear off any and still has checkers in their opponent's home board
or on the bar then Backgammon occurs. In this scenario the winner gets
three times the amount of points indicated by the cube.

Optional Backgammon Rules

Most of the times these rules are used when playing for money and not a
match to a set amount of points.

Automatic Doubles:

When the players roll the same number to determine who moves first, the
cube is automatically turned to 2 to start the game. Usually these are
limited to one turn but some players like unlimited autos.

The Jacoby Rule:

This rule states that the game must be doubled for a gammon or backgammon
to count. If the game is not doubled it counts as a single game. This rule
allows the game to go faster and a player to get out of it if is a lost
cause. It also allows for quicker doubles and higher stakes.

Beavers:

When a player takes a double and immediately redoubles while retaining
possession of the cube is called a beaver. This occurs when the player who
is being doubled stills feels like they have a lot of chances to win the
game.

That should be all you need to know to get you starting to play Backgammon
online! Test your skills against others online and win Real cash!


More Backgammon Rules

These rules can be used when playing for money and not a match to a set
amount of points.

Automatic Doubles:

When the players roll the same number to determine who moves first, the
cube is automatically turned to 2 to start the game.


The Jacoby Rule:

This rule states that the game must be doubled for a gammon or backgammon
to count.
If the game is not doubled it counts as a single game.

This rule allows the game to go faster. It also allows for     quicker
doubles and higher stakes.

Beavers:

When a player takes a double and immediately redoubles while retaining
possession of the cube is called a beaver.

This occurs when the player who is being doubled stills feels like they
have a lot of chances to win the game.