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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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