Backgammon Fundamentals

The backgammon game basic rules are simple enough. Two players compete over a board with twenty-four positions or "points", with fifteen checkers each. Movement of the checkers is controlled by the throw of two dice, each player throwing once in turn. Checkers are moved by the players as per the throw.

The first to remove, or "bear off" all her checkers from the board wins.The game can therefore be described as a race between two players to bear off one's checkers.

Several constraints in the movement of checkers introduce the elements of skill in this game. These are:

1. Your checkers may not occupy any point already occupied by two or more of those of your opponent (called an "anchor"). This might result in your forfeiting the movement against one or both the values thrown by your dice.

2. You have the option to "hit" a single checker of your opponent on a point (called a "blot") if you can move one of your checkers there.

3. If your checker has been "hit" it moves out of the board onto the "bar"( the divider between the home and outer boards) and you must re-enter it on your very next turn. If you cannot re-enter it because the legitimate positions are blocked by your opponent, you lose your turn.You cannot move any other checker instead.

4. You cannot start to bear off any of your checkers until all of them in play are on your "home" board (points 1 through 6).

   After you start bearing off, it may so happen that your opponent hits one or more of your checkers. In that case, you will have to re-enter the hit checkers at your opponent's home board, and bring it (or them) to your own home board before resuming the bearing off.

5. Needless to say, these backgammon rules can induce wild swings in the apparent fortunes of the competing players. A single throw can completely change the complexion of a game. It takes an experienced eye to quickly assess the threats and opportunities present in a given position.