Backgammon rules, a board game to be played by two, require players to move the playing pieces, called checkers, based on the roll of a dice. To win, all the checkers allocated to a player should be removed from the board. The game requires a combination of luck and skill for winning. Players have a good chance to control the outcome of a game in the long run with the strategies they use.
Game-play
A number of checkers will be allocated to both players. The checkers will be scattered across the board. They will then be hit or blocked by an opponent. Backgammon is generally played with time limits. The player who is the first to reach a specific number of points will be the winner. During the game, you and your opponent will get to raise the stakes.
To begin, both players roll two dice. The player who gets the most points will get to act first with both numbers rolled with the dice. This is done at the beginning of every round. Each player then takes turns to roll the two dice, and move checkers according to the numbers revealed by the pips on both. For example, in case a player gets 2 and 4, he will have to move one checker two spaces forward, and another by four spaces. The same checker can also be used for both numbers. In case a roll reveals the same number, like 3 and 3, the player will have to play each number twice. This means that he can, for example, move four checkers, three spaces forward.
Bearing off
If a player is unable to roll the dice, he will have to forfeit his turn. In case one dice cannot be moved upon while the other can, the highest will have to be played. When a player removes checkers, also called bearing off, the roll should be used as it is. The only exception is when a dice value is more than what can be used by any checker for bearing off. In this situation, the player will be allowed to take the checker at the highest point, off the board. On the other hand, if a checker cannot be moved with a dice, but another can, the player will have to play it compulsorily.
Hitting an opponent’s checker
Players have the option to move the checkers to empty points on the board or to spaces occupied by their checkers. In case a player’s checker lands on a point where his opponent’s checker is placed, the latter will get hit. A checker cannot be placed on a point with two or more checkers owned by an opponent.
Hit checkers can be brought back into a game if the player gets specific numbers. For instance, a roll of two will allow the checker to enter the twenty-three point, while a three will allow it to sit on the twenty-two point. If a player has a hit checker, he will not be allowed to move other checkers till the piece re-enters the game. A player can start bearing off if all his checkers are on his home board. If a player does not bear off even one checker by the time his opponent has taken off fifteen pieces, he will lose a gammon. In case the player’s checkers are on the bar or on his opponent’s home board, while the opponent bears off his pieces, the player will lose a Backgammon.
