Q&A for How to Play Backgammon

If you are playing for fun, you don't have to use the doubling cube because you aren't playing for points.

Tournament rules state that disagreements over this and similar preferences can be determined by rolling dice, with the high roller getting his first choice.

As many as you want, as long as the slot doesn't contain the opponent's 2 or more pieces.

No. There is no rolling again on doubles, just moving twice for each number.

Just leave them there. You can't move them out of your inner table, the only way they can get it is if they're placed on the bar by an opponents man (aka checker).

It depends. If you're rolling a 1 or a 2 as your first move, 13-11 and 6-5 will be the best.

You can only start bearing off men (aka checkers) once you have all your men in your inner table. Once you do have that it's probably better to try and bear them all off, because the first person to have all their pieces beared off is the person who wins. However, you can choose to move it instead of bearing it off.

There is no technical rule about this, so you have to decide between yourself and the other player whether you think that would be fair. Usually moves are set in stone, but if you can easily figure out and undo everything that has been affected by the false move, ask your opponent if it's OK with them.

It is difficult if you are a beginner, but you will get the hang of it the more that you practice.

No, you must move a checker if there is an open spot. The only time you forfeit is when all spots that correspond to the number you rolled have two or more checkers from the opposing player on them.

Two. The first take-off represents the 4, the second take-off represents the 5. Two checkers will remain on the one spot.

Yes, you can.

No. Doubles do not allow you to roll again that turn.

You can move a different man if that is the better strategy (e.g. to cover a blot).

No, but there can only be one color of checkers on a point at any time. If the checkers can’t fit on the points, you will need to make a second layer of checkers.

Yes, you can, and the opponent’s checker goes to the bar. A point with one opposing checker still counts as an "open point."

No, you don’t. If you did count the point you are on, rolling a 1 wouldn’t do anything.

No, you must play your turn unless you can't move.

Eventually you will have to move one of the 5 checkers. You can't win if there are 5 in a row anywhere except in the home, so your opponent will be un-blocked after you decide to move one of them.

Yes, until you can either move it or it gets sent to your bar by the other player.

No, you can't roll again if you roll doubles. You can play the face value of each die and then your turn ends.

Move your checkers down from the six point towards the one point, always trying not to leave any blots. If your opponent occupies any points within your home board with two or more checkers, you may not move to that occupied point. Some players will leave blocking checkers within your home board; they are trying to "hit" your checkers as you attempt to bear off, thus sending you back to the bar and forcing you to re-enter on the opponent's home board.

Yes. If no legal moves are available to you on your turn, your turn is skipped for that round and the other player attempts to make their move. Blocking other players moves is actually a major part of the game, and should be incorporated into your strategy.

I'm assuming you're asking whether you should count the two number on both dice together or separately. The number on each die count as one move. You can either play the dice separately (ie. use one die to move one piece, and the other die to move another piece), or together (meaning you use both dice to move the same piece).

You can if you want, it can also help hone your skills somewhat. Personally, I find it more fun to play with actual people.

You don't need to roll doubles to get out. When you are rolling to get off the bar, as long as there's at least one point that corresponds to one of the values on the dice, then you can move your checker there.

If you roll a doubles, you will move twice as many spaces. For example, if you roll two sixes, then you’ll have 24 spaces to move your pieces.

You can move by the amount you role on the dice. If you role a double, let’s say a double 4. 4x4=16. You would have to move your checkers sixteen points. But you can only move by the number of the double.

No, you can only hit with that checker (if you decide so). If not, then you can move on without hitting that the opponent's checker. It's your choice.

You can have as many as you want, as long as there are not 2 or more opposing stones on the point (triangle).