Before you learn how to play backgammon, we should look into the history of the game. Basically, the game of backgammon is a race between two players to remove all of their pieces from a board using dice to determine the number of spaces to be moved. Variations of the game are played in Europe, as well as the Far East.
The Basics
This 2-player game involves a game board that features four different quadrants. The spaces on the board that are triangular-shaped are referred to as "points." The numbers that can be found on the top and bottom of the backgammon board are used to identify the different points on the board. For example, White's 1-point can be located at the lower right point of the board. The winner of the game is the player who is able to remove all of their checkers from the board.
The Pieces
There are 15 checkers that each backgammon player must play with. Sometimes these checkers are also referred to as pieces or men.
Rolling the Dice
To begin the game, each player rolls one dice. Whoever rolls the highest number will move that amount of spaces and take their first turn. In the event that both players roll the same number, a repeat roll is needed. When moving a checker, the player places one of their men by moving the exact amount shown on one die. Another checker can then be moved to match the number shown on the other die. For example, if a player roll a 1 and a 3, then one man is moved 1 space and another man will be moved 3 spaces. If both moves are possible with two separate pieces, a player could choose to move only one man the total of the two dice. In this case, it would be moving one man for four spaces.
Rolling Doubles
If a player rolls the same number on both dice, then they will be required to move double the amount shown. For example, if a player rolls a pair of fours, then that player is allowed four moves consisting of four spaces each. These four moves can be divided between whichever checkers the player desires. Another way to move the pieces on a double roll is to move one checker the total amount of spaces.
Moving Your Pieces
When playing backgammon, depending on the color of the pieces, one set only moves clockwise and the remaining set moves counterclockwise. When nearing the end of the game, checkers must always move the exact amount shown on a die, with the exception of bearing off. Pieces are allowed to pass over points that are occupied, but the end result of the move must end at an unoccupied space. A player's checkers cannot land at a point that holds two or more of the opposing player's pieces.
When moving checkers, there is such thing as an illegal move. Let's say a player rolls a 3 and a 4. It is illegal to move a checker 7 spaces if the points that are 3 and 4 spaces away are occupied.
Understanding Blots and Bars
When a player's piece lands on a point that is holding one of the opposing player's checkers, this is called a blot. The opposing checker is then removed from the space and sent to the bar, which is a vertical strip that section off the right and the left sides of the backgammon board. Sometimes a player can hit as many as four blots on a single turn (as seen in the case of rolling doubles).
A player must bring all of the pieces back onto the board before they are able to move any of their pieces from the board. A checker can be returned to the board by using the rolls of the die to enter the opponent's inner table. When no legal moves are possible, a player will lose their turn. Until that time comes, both numbers on the die must be used.
Bearing Off
A player can "bear off" when all of their men have made it over to the home board. Checkers that are beared off of the board cannot be replayed in the rest of the game. Players cannot bear off their pieces when they have a piece on the bar or located outside of the home board.
Winning
The winner of the backgammon game is one who has removed all of their pieces from the board. When a player is able to remove or "bear off" all of their checkers before the other player, it is known as a gammon. A game is referred to as backgammon when the loser of the game has at least one checker in the winner's inner board.
How To Play Backgammon For Beginners
After setting up the board, choosing which backgammon chips you will use, black, or white, and you are ready to play; it is time to grab the dice. Each player rolls one dice to determine who goes first. Depending upon how you decided to play, the first player will either use that roll for his or her move, or they will roll again.
When it comes to moving your backgammon chips, there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, you will always move forward, never backwards. However, keep in mind that you will be moving against your opponent and vice versa. Your goal is to move your chips to your inner board. Now how you move your backgammon chips will be determined your dice roll. Now since you have two dice, you have two choices. Each number will represent one point. For example, if you roll a 5 and a 3, the 5 represents five points, the 3 represents three points on the board.
Now, for you this could mean moving two backgammon chips or one, depending on your strategy and availability. In other words, you can move one of your chips five points and another one of your pieces three points. On the other hand, you can even opt to move one dice eight points if you have an open path.
Now determining an open path is a little more difficult. The main thing to be watchful for is a point that has more than two of your opponent's chips on it, which means a block, you cannot move your chips onto this spot. The only points your chips can land on are those containing your own chips, vacant, or those with just one of your opponents chips on them. If you have no legal moves, you have to forfeit your turn. In some cases, you may be able to legally move one chip, but not others, you will have to take this move.
Now a special case is when you roll doubles with the dice. In other words, if you were to roll two threes, you would have a variety of options available for moves. In this instance, you could move backgammon chips as followed:
- One chip twelve points
- Two chips six points (per chip)
- One chip nine points, as well as one chip three points
- Two chips three points (per chip), as well as another chip six points
- Four chips three points (per chip)
Now, you will notice above when I mentioned your backgammon chips can land on a space occupied by only one of your opponents chips. This chip is referred to as a blot, you landing on it constitutes an attack. Now, when you have landed on a point with your opponents chip on it, the chip will then need to be removed from the board. It is placed on the bar in the center of the board.
Now what is good about the blot is the fact that your opponent cannot make any other moves until they can legally move the blot from the center piece and it can only be moved into the inner board, which is like them starting all over again. The bad part of the blot is the fact that it can happen to you as well.
To win the game, you must have all your pieces on your inner board. This means they must all be on your one through six points. Then you can begin the ?bear off? part of the game, which is essentially removing your pieces from the board on your rolls. The first person to rid all of their backgammon chips from the board wins. You can obtain a double victory, however, if your opponent fails to bear any of their chips off the board. Now, to the name of the game, if your opponent has not reached the bear off phase and there are still any blots sitting on the bar or any chips within your side of the inner table, you are awarded Backgammon, which is a triple victory.
Both Stephen Todd & Lee Dobbins - are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Stephen Todd has sinced written about articles on various topics from Currency Trading, Modelling and Green Tea. For more information on backgammon and please visit our web site:. Stephen Todd's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.
Lee Dobbins - has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Lee Dobbins writes for http://backgammon.games-webzone.com where you can learn more about playing the game and using your
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