How to Play Backgammon

Backgammon is a race and a battle at once. Here is how to play and win.

What is Backgammon?

You move White from point 24 toward point 1. Each die is a separate move (doubles count four times). Land on a point with one black checker (a blot) to hit it to the bar. Once all your checkers are in your home board (points 1 to 6) you can bear them off. First to bear off all 15 wins.

How to play Backgammon

Press Roll dice, tap a white checker, then tap a highlighted point. Undo takes back a move.

Step by step

1. Roll the dice.
2. Move one checker by each die, or one checker by both.
3. You cannot land on a point with two or more black checkers.
4. If you are hit, enter from the bar first.
5. Bring all checkers home, then bear them off.

Strategy tips to play better

• Make points (two or more checkers together) so they cannot be hit.
• Avoid leaving single checkers where the computer can hit them.
• Build points in your home board to block the computer's entry.
• Race when you are ahead; block when you are behind.

What kids learn

• Strategy
• Counting
• Probability
• Planning

For parents and teachers

Backgammon suits ages 8 and up; the highlights make the rules easy to learn.