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How to play Backgammon

Backgammon is a two-player board game that mixes strategy and luck. Roll two dice, move your 15 checkers around the board and bear them all off first. Play single games or matches with the doubling cube, with optional move hints while you learn. A game takes 5 to 10 minutes.

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Backgammon at a glance

Players
2
Pieces
15 checkers each, 2 dice, doubling cube
Goal
Bear off all your checkers first
Game length
About 5–10 minutes a game

How to play Backgammon

  1. Roll

    Roll two dice and move your checkers by each number.

  2. Hit

    Land on a lone rival checker to send it to the bar.

  3. Bear off

    Bring all 15 checkers home, then bear them off first to win.

Complete Backgammon rules

Setup

Each player has 15 checkers, set out as two on the 24-point, five on the 13-point, three on the 8-point and five on the 6-point. Both players move toward their own home board.

Moving

Roll two dice and move checkers forward by each number. Doubles are played four times. You can’t land on a point held by two or more of your opponent’s checkers.

Hitting

Landing on a single opposing checker sends it to the bar. It must re-enter in your home board before its owner can move anything else.

Bearing off and scoring

Once all 15 checkers are home, bear them off. A win scores 1 point, a gammon 2 and a backgammon 3, multiplied by the value of the doubling cube.

Tips to win at Backgammon

  • Build points in your home board to trap your opponent’s back checkers.
  • Avoid leaving single checkers (blots) where they can easily be hit.
  • Double when you’re clearly ahead, and accept when you still have a fair chance.
Read the full strategy guide · 6 min readBackgammon strategy for openings, primes and the cube

Ways to play Backgammon

  • Single game

    One game with gammons and backgammons.

  • Match play

    First to 3, 5 or 7 points with the doubling cube.

  • Casual

    Turn the cube off for relaxed games.

Play by your house rules

  • Match length1 point3 points5 points7 points
  • Doubling cubeOnOff
  • Move hintsOnOff
  • Bot levelEasyMediumHard

About Backgammon

Backgammon is one of the oldest board games still played, with roots in ancient Mesopotamia and Persia. Its mix of luck and skill has kept it popular from the Middle East to Europe and the Americas.

Rules reviewed by the tavlo.gg game team · Updated October 10, 2026

Questions about Backgammon

How does the doubling cube work?
Offering a double asks to play for twice the points. Your opponent either accepts or gives up the game at its current value.
What is a gammon?
A gammon is a win before your opponent has borne off a single checker. It scores double.
Can I get move hints?
Yes. Turn on hints and the best moves are highlighted on the board.
Is Backgammon free to play?
Yes. Backgammon is free in your browser, with no download and no sign-up. You can start as a guest, and your progress saves on this device.
Can I play Backgammon on my phone?
Yes. Backgammon runs in any phone or tablet browser, with touch controls and nothing to install.
How does the doubling cube work?
Offering a double asks to play for twice the points. Your opponent either accepts or gives up the game at its current value.
What is a gammon?
A gammon is a win before your opponent has borne off a single checker. It scores double.
Can I get move hints?
Yes. Turn on hints and the best moves are highlighted on the board.
Is Backgammon free to play?
Yes. Backgammon is free in your browser, with no download and no sign-up. You can start as a guest, and your progress saves on this device.
Can I play Backgammon on my phone?
Yes. Backgammon runs in any phone or tablet browser, with touch controls and nothing to install.

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