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Below is an
outline of the backgammon 'basics'. Recommended reads:
 
GAME SET-UP
The diagram above shows how the board is set up for play. Each player has
fifteen pieces and one set of dice.
OBJECTIVE OF
THE GAME
Each player moves their pieces according to the throw of their dice. When
all the pieces are in the players HOME BOARD he/she may begin to 'bear off'.
The first player to remove all their pieces wins the game.
DIRECTION OF PLAY
As we look at the diagram, white moves anti-clockwise towards its 'Home
Board' and black moves clock-wise.
STARTING PLAY
Each player throws a single dice to determine who begins. The winner then
throws both his/her dice and moves. Dice landing off the board or tilted in
anyway are re-thrown.
MOVING PIECES
Numbers on both dice must be played if possible. Either two different pieces
are moved (one for each die) or the same piece for both numbers. A player
may jump BLOCKED POINTS but may not stop there. If a player cannot move
because of BLOCKED POINTS the move is lost.
If a player plays his/her piece to a BLOT, the hit piece is placed on the
BAR and must start again from the opposition's HOME BOARD. Two or more
BLOT's may be hit in one play. A piece on the BAR must re-enter the
oppositions HOME BOARD before the player can make another move.
Doubles count as four turns, e.g. one piece moved four times, four pieces
moved once or two pieces moved twice.
BLOCKED POINTS
A 'blocked point' is any point on which two or more pieces rest. A player
may not stop on any point which is blocked by his opponents pieces.
A BLOT
A 'blot' is a an opponents single piece on a point.
BEARING OFF
When either player has played all their pieces into their HOME BOARD, pieces
can be borne off according to points scored from the dice thrown. A player
can either move a piece or bear off. When casting a higher number than any
point covered, a piece from the next highest point must be borne off. If the
point indicated is vacant and there is a piece on a higher count, that piece
must be moved.
If whilst bearing off a piece is hit, it goes to the BAR and must re-enter
the game as usual. No more pieces may be borne off until that piece is back
in the HOME BOARD.
GAMMON
A player finishes before their opponent has started bearing off.
BACK-GAMMON
A player finishes whilst his opponent still has one or more pieces in the
players HOME BOARD.
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