Stepping into the captivating world of backgammon, you’ll discover a strategic dance of dice and cunning where luck interlaces with skill. This ancient game has enticed players for centuries, offering an immersive blend of chance and strategy. Whether you seek casual entertainment or aspire to master its intricate depths, understanding the art of setting up the board is paramount.
To embark on your backgammon journey, you’ll need a playing board adorned with 24 triangular points, known as “points” or “pips.” Each side of the board is further divided into two sections called the “inner table” and the “outer table.” The inner table, comprising the six points closest to the center of the board, serves as a sanctuary for your checkers, while the outer table presents a path fraught with challenges and opportunities.
Gathering the Game Pieces
To begin a game of backgammon, you will need to set up the game pieces, also known as checkers or stones. Each player has a set of 15 checkers, typically made of plastic or wood. Each set is a different color, often black and white, or red and yellow.
Checker Configuration
Before setting up the board, each player arranges their 15 checkers as follows:
| Checker Number | Starting Position |
|---|---|
| 1 | Player’s home board, sixth point from the outer edge |
| 2 | Opponent’s home board, thirteenth point from the outer edge |
| 3 | Player’s home board, eighth point from the outer edge |
| 4 | Opponent’s home board, eleventh point from the outer edge |
| 5 | Player’s home board, thirteenth point from the outer edge |
| 6 | Opponent’s home board, sixth point from the outer edge |
| 7 | Player’s home board, second point from the outer edge |
| 8 | Opponent’s home board, seventeenth point from the outer edge |
| 9 | Player’s home board, twenty-third point from the outer edge |
| 10 | Opponent’s home board, twelfth point from the outer edge |
| 11 | Player’s home board, twentieth point from the outer edge |
| 12 | Opponent’s home board, seventh point from the outer edge |
| 13 | Player’s home board, seventeenth point from the outer edge |
| 14 | Opponent’s home board, second point from the outer edge |
| 15 | Player’s home board, fourth point from the outer edge |
Setting Up the Backgammon Board
To set up a backgammon board correctly, follow these steps:
2. Place 2 Checkers on the 24-Point
Next, you’ll need to place two of your checkers on each of the 24-point squares. These points are located on opposite sides of the board, with 12 points on each side. Your checkers should be stacked on top of each other on each point.
Here’s a table summarizing the placement of checkers on the 24-point squares:
| Player | 24-Point Squares |
|---|---|
| White | 24, 23 |
| Black | 1, 2 |
Make sure that your checkers are placed securely and are not protruding beyond the edges of the squares.
Positioning the Counters
The third step is to set up the counters on the board. The goal is to arrange the counters in such a way that there are five counters on each player’s twelve-point, three-point, and six-point; two counters on their eight-point; and three counters on both their four-point and ten-point. It is worth noting that the farthest point from your own is your opponent’s home board, while the nearest point is known as your own home board.
Remember, the counters move counterclockwise around the board. So, if you’re playing with white counters, you’ll start by placing five counters on your twelve-point in the top right corner. From there, you’ll continue placing counters counterclockwise, ending with three counters on your ten-point in the bottom right corner.
Once you understand this concept, setting up the backgammon board becomes fairly easy. The specific placement of the counters is as follows:
| Point | White Counters | Black Counters |
|---|---|---|
| 12-point (home board) | 5 | 5 |
| 11-point | 0 | 0 |
| 10-point | 3 | 3 |
| 9-point | 0 | 0 |
| 8-point | 2 | 2 |
| 7-point | 0 | 0 |
| 6-point | 5 | 5 |
| 5-point | 0 | 0 |
| 4-point | 3 | 3 |
| 3-point | 5 | 5 |
| 2-point | 0 | 0 |
| 1-point (opponent’s home board) | 0 | 0 |
Determining the Starting Player
To decide who starts the game, each player simultaneously rolls one die. The player who rolls the highest number goes first. If the players roll the same number, they roll again until a different number is rolled.
The player who starts the game then places their checkers on the starting points according to the following setup:
| Checker Color | Starting Point |
|---|---|
| Black | 2 points on the opponent’s side |
| 7 points on their side | |
| White | 2 points on the opponent’s side |
| 7 points on their side |
The starting player then rolls both dice and moves their checkers accordingly.
Rolling the Dice
The first step in setting up Backgammon is to roll the dice. Each player has two dice, and they take turns rolling them. The numbers on the dice rolled determine how many points each player can move their checkers.
To roll the dice, hold them in one hand and shake them vigorously. Then, release the dice onto the table, making sure that they land flat on the table surface.
The numbers on the dice are read from left to right. The higher number is the “primary” number, and the lower number is the “secondary” number.
For example, if you roll a 6 and a 3, your primary number is 6 and your secondary number is 3. This means that you can move one of your checkers 6 points and another checker 3 points.
If you roll doubles, you can move one of your checkers the total of the two dice. For example, if you roll a 4 and a 4, you can move one of your checkers 8 points.
You can also use doubles to re-roll the dice. If you roll doubles, you can choose to re-roll the dice again. You can do this as many times as you want, but you must move all of your checkers before you can re-roll the dice again.
| Roll | Primary Number | Secondary Number |
|---|---|---|
| 6-3 | 6 | 3 |
| 4-4 | 8 | 0 |
| 5-5 | 10 | 0 |
Moving the Counters
To move the counters, follow these steps:
1. Determine the starting position
The starting position for each player is opposite their opponent, with their checkers arranged in the following order:
| Position | Number of Checkers |
|---|---|
| Bar | 0 |
| Player’s home board | 2 |
| Opponent’s home board | 5 |
| Player’s five-point | 3 |
| Opponent’s four-point | 5 |
| Player’s three-point | 5 |
| Opponent’s two-point | 3 |
2. Roll the dice
Each player rolls two dice at the start of their turn.
3. Count the pips
The number of pips on the dice indicates how many spaces a checker can move.
4. Choose a checker to move
Select a checker that can legally move the number of spaces indicated by the dice.
5. Move the checker
Move the checker the number of spaces indicated by the dice, counting from the current position.
6. Capture an opponent’s checker
If a checker lands on a point occupied by a single opponent’s checker, the opponent’s checker is captured and placed on the bar.
7. Enter from the bar
If a player has checkers on the bar, they must enter them into their home board before moving any other checkers.
8. Bear off
Once a player has moved all their checkers into their home board, they can begin bearing them off by moving them off the board. The first player to bear off all their checkers wins the game.
Capturing Opponent’s Counters
To capture an opponent’s counter, it must be located in a point where the number of your own counters is less than the face value of the die you just rolled. For example, if you roll a 4, you can capture an opponent’s counter from a point where you have only 1, 2, or 3 of your own counters.
Multiple Captures
If you roll a number that allows you to capture multiple counters, you must do so in succession. You cannot stop capturing until you have captured all of the possible counters.
Jumping
You can only capture an opponent’s counter if there is a vacant point immediately adjacent to it. This is known as “jumping”. You cannot jump over your own counters or over multiple opponent’s counters in a row.
Blocking
If an opponent has two or more counters on a single point, they are “blocked” and cannot be captured. You cannot move your counters onto a point that is blocked by an opponent.
Re-entering the Board
If all of your counters are captured, you must wait until you roll a number that allows you to re-enter one of them onto the board. You can only re-enter a counter onto an open point in your own home board.
| Roll | Capture Option |
|---|---|
| 2 | Capture from points with 1 counter |
| 3 | Capture from points with 1 or 2 counters |
| 4 | Capture from points with 1, 2, or 3 counters |
| 5 | Capture from points with 1, 2, 3, or 4 counters |
| 6 | Capture from points with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 counters |
Bearing Off Counters
Once a player has moved all their checkers to their home board, they can begin bearing them off. To bear off a counter, a player must roll a number that corresponds to the point on which the counter is located. For example, if a counter is on the 5-point, the player must roll a 5 to bear it off.
There are a few special rules that apply to bearing off counters:
- A player can only bear off counters from their own home board.
- A player cannot bear off a counter if there is another counter behind it.
- If a player rolls a double, they can bear off two counters from the point corresponding to the double.
Two Key Strategic Considerations When Bearing Off Counters:
Determining how to most effectively use your rolls is critical. Since you are limited to the numbers you roll, you must prioritize your options. Here are two key strategic considerations to keep in mind:
1. Try to Avoid Exposing Your Counters to Hits:
As you bear off counters, your home board will become less crowded. This can make your remaining counters more vulnerable to being hit and sent back to the bar. To avoid this, try to bear off counters from the inside points first. These points are less likely to be hit by your opponent’s checkers.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Use Your Higher Rolls:
When you roll high numbers, it may be tempting to save them for later in the game when you have more counters to bear off. However, it is often better to use your higher rolls as soon as possible. This will help you get your counters off the board quickly and safely.
| Number | Allowed Moves |
|---|---|
| 2 | Move 1 or 2 counters from the 2-point. |
| 3 | Move 1 or 3 counters from the 3-point. |
| 4 | Move 1 or 4 counters from the 4-point. |
| 5 | Move 1 or 5 counters from the 5-point. |
| 6 | Move 1 or 6 counters from the 6-point. |
The Endgame
The endgame is the final phase of backgammon, where one player has moved all of their checkers off the board and the other player is attempting to catch up. The endgame is a complex and strategic phase of the game, and there are many different ways to play it.
Blocking the Bar
The most important aspect of the endgame is blocking the bar. The bar is the row of holes that separates the two halves of the board. If one player’s checker is blocked on the bar, they will not be able to move any other checkers until the checker on the bar is moved off. Blocking the bar is a great way to prevent your opponent from catching up to you.
Hitting Checkers
Another important aspect of the endgame is hitting checkers. If one player’s checker lands on a space that is occupied by an opponent’s checker, the opponent’s checker is hit and must be returned to the bar. Hitting checkers is a great way to slow down your opponent and give yourself a chance to catch up.
Leaving Blots
A blot is a checker that is not protected by any other checkers. Blots are vulnerable to being hit by opponent’s checkers, so it is important to avoid leaving them unguarded. However, leaving blots can also be a strategic move, as it can force your opponent to make a mistake.
Running the Board
Running the board is a strategy in which one player moves all of their checkers off the board as quickly as possible. This is a risky strategy, as it leaves the player’s checkers vulnerable to being hit. However, if it is executed successfully, it can lead to a quick win.
Playing for the Tie
Sometimes, the best outcome in an endgame is a tie. This is especially true if one player is in a strong position and the other player is not. By playing for the tie, the stronger player can avoid losing the game and can give themselves a chance to win in the next game. This is because when a game ends in a tie, it is treated as if neither player wins the gammon.
Safety Play
In the endgame, there is rarely any value in bearing off checkers from the 24-point. This is especially the case when the opponent only has one or two checkers left to bear off. It is because by bearing off from the 24-point, the player exposes their checkers to being hit by the opponent. Thus, it is usually better to play “safe” and bear off from the 1-point if there is no risk of losing the game.
Bearing Off Carefully
When bearing off checkers, it is important to do so carefully. If a player bears off a checker that is not protected by any other checkers, it can be hit by the opponent and returned to the bar. This can delay the player’s progress and give the opponent a chance to catch up.
Playing for the Win
The ultimate goal in backgammon is to win the game. There are many different ways to win, but the most common way is to bear off all of your checkers before your opponent does. If you are in a strong position in the endgame, you should play for the win. However, if you are in a weak position, you may need to play for the tie or for a loss.
Advanced Techniques
Fancying the Points
Fancying is the act of moving a checker to the next lower point if that point is open, giving you control of two consecutive points.
Blocking the Bar
When your opponent has checkers on the bar and you occupy the 7 point, you can block them from re-entering the game.
Priming
Priming is the act of placing two checkers on the same point to protect them from being hit.
Stacking the Point
When you have three or more checkers on a point, it can be difficult for your opponent to break through.
Making a Blitz
A blitz is a strategy where you move all of your checkers out of your home board as quickly as possible.
Hitting the Blot
A blot is a checker that is alone on a point. If you have a checker adjacent to a blot, you can hit it and send it to the bar.
Forking
A fork is when you hit two of your opponent’s checkers with a single move.
Backgammon
Backgammon is the name of the game when you bear off all of your checkers before your opponent.
Gammon
Gammon is when you win by bearing off all of your checkers and your opponent still has a checker on the board.
Backgammon Cube
The backgammon cube is used to double the stakes of the game. It is rolled by the player who is proposing to double the stakes.
| Points | 1 Point | 2 Point | 3 Point | 4 Point | 5 Point | 6 Point | 7 Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hit | 50% | 58.8% | 66.7% | 73.3% | 78.6% | 82.6% | 85.7% |
| Fancy | 50% | 41.2% | 33.3% | 26.7% | 21.4% | 17.4% | 14.3% |
This table shows the probability of hitting a blot or fancying a point on each of the seven points in the home board.
How To Set Up Backgammon
Backgammon is a strategy game that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a relatively easy game to learn, but it can be challenging to master. If you are new to backgammon, this guide will teach you how to set up the game so that you can start playing.
To set up backgammon, you will need a backgammon board, 30 checkers (15 of each color), and two dice.
To begin, place the board in front of you with the points facing you. Each player will have 15 checkers of one color. Place two checkers on your 24-point, five checkers on your 13-point, three checkers on your 8-point, and five checkers on your 6-point. Your opponent will do the same on the other side of the board.
Once the checkers are in place, you are ready to start playing!
