About the Game

Backgammon is one of the world's oldest board games, with origins dating back over 5,000 years. It was played in ancient Mesopotamia and evolved through Roman and Persian cultures before becoming the game we know today. Its mix of strategy and chance has kept it popular for centuries.

Our Online Backgammon is a free HTML5 board game that you can play instantly in your browser. No downloads or accounts are needed. Choose to play against a friend locally or challenge the computer. It's beginner-friendly, mobile-optimized, and perfect for quick matches or longer sessions.

How to Play

Backgammon is a two-player game where each player aims to move all 15 checkers around the board and bear them off before their opponent does. You take turns rolling two dice and move checkers based on the result. Hitting, blocking, and strategic positioning make each move count.

Setting Up the Backgammon Board

A standard backgammon board has 24 narrow triangles called points, numbered 1 through 24 for each player. Each player arranges their 15 checkers in the following layout:

2 checkers on point 24
5 checkers on point 13
3 checkers on point 8
5 checkers on point 6

This layout is mirrored for the opponent, meaning each player’s setup is opposite the other.

Who Goes First?

At the start of the game, each player rolls one die. The player with the higher number goes first and uses both dice for their opening move. If the same number is rolled, both players roll again.

In multi-game matches, the winner of the previous game usually goes first in the next.

Moving the Checkers

Players move their checkers from point 24 to point 1 (the home board). The opponent moves in the opposite direction. On each turn, the dice rolled determine the number of spaces a checker may move:

You may move two separate checkers based on each die or combine the numbers to move one checker the total distance, if legal.
If you roll doubles (e.g. 4 and 4), you play that number four times—essentially four moves of 4 spaces.
You may only move to open points, which are unoccupied, occupied by your own checkers, or occupied by a single opposing checker.
If one of your checkers is hit and sent to the bar, you must re-enter it before making any other move.
If only one of the two dice values can be played, the higher number must be used if it’s legally possible.

Hitting and Re-entering

A single opposing checker on a point is called a blot. If you land on a blot, that checker is "hit" and moved to the bar (the center of the board). Before you can move other checkers, any checkers on the bar must be re-entered by rolling into the opponent’s home board (points 1 through 6).

If no points in the home board are open based on your roll, you lose that turn.

Bearing Off

Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board (points 1 to 6), you can begin removing them from the board. This is called bearing off.

You can bear off a checker if you roll a number equal to the point it’s on.
If no checker is on the point matching the die, you must move a checker from a higher-numbered point if available.
If no checkers are on higher points, you may bear off the highest checker that is lower than the roll.
Once a checker is borne off, it cannot re-enter the game.

The Doubling Cube

Backgammon can be played with a doubling cube to raise the stakes. The cube has values 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64. Either player may offer to double the stakes before their turn. If the opponent accepts, the cube passes to them and they control future doubling. If they decline, they forfeit the game.

Winning the Game

The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins. Points are scored based on how the opponent finishes:

Single Win: Opponent bore off at least one checker — 1 point.
Gammon: Opponent bore off no checkers — 2 points.
Backgammon: Opponent has checkers on the bar or in your home board — 3 points.

Game Rules

Roll two dice and move your checkers based on the numbers.
If you roll doubles, you get four moves instead of two.
You can move to open points or those occupied by your own checkers.
Landing on a single opposing checker sends it to the bar.
Checkers on the bar must re-enter before you can move others.
You cannot land on a point with two or more opposing checkers.
Once all your checkers are in your home board, begin bearing them off.
The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins the game.

Why Play Online?

Playing backgammon online means fast, convenient access anywhere, anytime. Our version offers:

Completely free gameplay
No registration or downloads required
Smart AI for solo play
Local 2-player mode
Mobile and desktop compatibility

Beginner Strategy Tips

Control key positions on the board: Try to occupy points that your opponent needs to pass through. This limits their movement and increases your control over the game.
Build a prime (six consecutive occupied points): A prime is a powerful defensive structure. If you control six points in a row, your opponent cannot move any checker past it, potentially trapping their pieces.
Avoid leaving single checkers (“blots”) exposed: A single checker on a point is vulnerable to being hit and sent to the bar. Try to move in pairs or build on your own points to keep your checkers safe.
Use hits strategically: Hitting an opponent’s exposed checker can slow them down, especially if they have other pieces waiting to enter. Time your hits wisely to gain an advantage.
Plan your bearing off phase: Once all your checkers are in the home board, bear them off efficiently. Avoid stacking too many checkers on the same point, which can create delays if you roll unhelpful numbers.
Stay flexible and adapt: Backgammon involves luck, so be ready to change your plan based on dice rolls and your opponent’s moves. Look ahead and stay open to new opportunities.

FAQs

Can I play backgammon online for free?: Yes, this game is 100% free to play with no hidden charges.
Do I need to create an account?: No, you can play instantly without signing up.
Is the game mobile-friendly?: Yes, it works seamlessly on both smartphones and tablets.
Can I play with a friend?: Yes, there's a two-player mode for local play on the same device.
Where can I find instructions?: See the "How to Play" and "Game Rules" sections above for everything you need.
How do you set up a backgammon board?: Each player places 15 checkers in a specific arrangement: 2 checkers on the 24-point, 5 on the 13-point, 3 on the 8-point, and 5 on the 6-point. The board is mirrored for both players.
How many pieces are in backgammon?: There are 30 checkers in total—15 for each player, typically in two contrasting colors.
When was backgammon invented?: Backgammon has origins dating back over 5,000 years. The earliest known version was played in ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 BCE.
Is backgammon the oldest game?: Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games still played today. While not the absolute oldest, it has remained popular through centuries and civilizations.
How many points are there on a backgammon board?: A backgammon board has 24 narrow triangles called points—12 on each side. Players move checkers across these points during the game.
What is the ace-point in backgammon?: The ace-point is point number 1 on your side of the board—it's the last point a checker moves to before being borne off.
Can I skip my turn?: No. If any legal move exists, you must play. If only one of the dice can be used, you must use the higher one if it’s legal.
Do I get another roll after rolling doubles?: No. You don’t roll again, but you do get to play the number four times during that turn.