Though gaming is pretty advanced, with mind-blowing technological upgrades every year, playing board games is always something to cherish. It brings people together around a tabletop, encourages casual banter and bonding, and is excellent for stress relief. While some board games require little learning, some are slightly more sophisticated.
Backgammon is undoubtedly one of the oldest board games, with origins dating 5,000 years ago. It’s a two-player game, and the game’s objective is to become the first player to move all fifteen checkers off the board first – this is also referred to as “bearing off.”
If you happen to be a casual backgammon player, you likely forget how to set up the game board. Fret not, as we’re here to help. We will guide you through the entire backgammon set up in the form of short, straightforward instructions so that you’ll be ready to sit down for a game in no time. If it makes you feel at ease, the backgammon set up is doable in five minutes or less.
Table of Contents
Backgammon Board Setup: Things You Need
While traditional backgammon sets include round black and white discs, it’s completely acceptable to replace them with checkers or quarters, as you please.
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1 Backgammon board
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Thirty checkers, fifteen each in black and white (i.e., yours and the opponent’s checkers)
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A pair of six-sided dice
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A dice cup (A dice cup is a small container used in Backgammon for rolling dice). However, a dice cup is optional.
Understanding Backgammon Terms
Like many other popular board games, backgammon also has its glossary of terms for pieces and areas of the board. It is essential to understand these terms before you roll the dice and play the game against a friend or an unknown opponent!
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The twenty-four triangular areas where discs are placed and moved across are known as points.
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The home board is the half that comprises both players’ home areas (this can be either on your left or your right, based on the color you’re playing). The other half is known as the outer board.
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The bar sets the home board from the outer board apart.
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Checkers are the 15 pieces each player moves around the board.
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Doubling Cube is a die used to increase the stakes of the game.
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Starting Position is the initial arrangement of checkers (2 on the 24-point, 5 on the 13-point, 3 on the 8-point, and 5 on the 6-point for each player).
Backgammon Board Rules
Nothing’s more important than understanding the basics of the backgammon board before you start putting your checkers. We will cover everything you should know before you set up your board:
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The triangles (or points) are in alternating colors and grouped into four quadrants, having six triangles each.
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The home boards and the outer boards position themselves opposite to each other.
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The points are numbered from 1-24. The 24-point is the one that’s further from each player, located on the leftmost side of the opponent’s home board, whereas the 1-point is the rightmost one on the player’s home board.
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The points for each player are numbered oppositely, i.e., the player’s 24-point is the opponent’s 1 point, and subsequently, for the rest of them.
Pre-game Checklist
Make sure you follow the below instructions before you start the game:
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Place the board on a level-playing surface easily accessible by both players.
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Count the checkers to reaffirm that both players have the correct number. There should be a total of thirty checkers, with fifteen each of two colors for differentiation.
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In some serious games, you might use a doubling cube, but it doesn’t impact the overall initial setup.
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Decide the color each player shall use.
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Whether you use a doubling cube needs to be determined in advance in addition to any other advanced gaming techniques.
How To Set Up A Backgammon Board?
Once you sort out the above steps, keep the following in mind for backgammon board setup:
Let each player pick their fifteen checkers: The process of setting up a backgammon board is easier and quicker if each player manages to set up their checkers. Checkers come in different color combinations such as white and brown, black and red, or black and white. The colors do not impact the game as long as two different ones are present.
Pick two checkers and place them on your 24-point: The 24-point is the nearest point to the player on the left side of his board and the right side for the opponent. Remember that the checkers should mirror each other as they’re set up.
Place five checkers on your 13-point: The 13-point is on the same side as the 24-point, the rightmost point on each player’s side. If you want to ensure that you are placing them in the right spot, count backward from the position of the two checkers on the 24-point until you get to the 13-point.
Place three checkers on your 8-point: The 8-point is on the same side of the board as each player’s home board, just a couple of spaces away from the bar at the center. Again, if you want to ensure the correct placement of checkers, count backward from the position of the checkers on the 13-point until you get to the 8-point.
Put the five remaining checkers on your 6-point: The six-point is located adjacent to the bar for each player but on opposite sides. To make sure you’re placing the player’s checkers accurately, count back from the 8-point checkers. These final five checkers are the only ones to start on your home board. You can use them to create primes to prevent the entry of the opponent’s checkers.
Ensure that none of the checkers overlap: Remember that each player possesses their numbering system, so none of the checkers must overlap. If any of the points have both players’ checkers on them, then it’s likely that you set up the board incorrectly and need a do-over.
Checker Movement
To begin the game, each player throws a single die. This decides which player goes first and also the numbers to be played. If equal numbers pop up, players roll the dice again until different numbers appear. The player throwing the higher number begins moving his checkers based on the numbers on both dice. After the initial; dice roll, the players throw two dice and take turns. The dice roll stipulates how many points (or pips) the player is supposed to move his checkers.
How To Play Backgammon?
Now that you are done with the Backgammon setup, let’s understand how you can play the Backgammon game as we cover the basics below.
The goal is to move all your checkers into your home board and then bear them off. You win by being the first player to bear off all your checkers. You can also win by hitting the opponent’s checkers and making strategic moves.
In this game, a player rolls two dice and moves their checkers based on the dice values. You move checkers from your starting position, which will be the 24-point, towards your home board, which is the 1-point. Also, when rolling two dice in Backgammon, you can treat each number as a separate move. For example, if you roll a 3 and a 5, you can move one checker 3 points and another checker 5 points, or combine them to move one checker 8.
You can move a checker to an open point or hit an opposing checker to send it to the bar. If a checker is on the bar, you must re-enter it on your opponent’s home board before continuing your moves.
Once all your checkers are in your home board, you can start bearing off by rolling the dice and removing checkers from the board. The first player to bear off all their checkers wins the game.
FAQs
What is an outer board in a backgammon game?
The Outer Board is the two quadrants on the far side of the board from your Home Board. It includes points 7 to 12 and 13 to 18 for each player. You move checkers across the Outer Board to reach your Home Board.
What is the highest point in a backgammon board game?
The highest point or the outermost point on the board is the 24-point. It is the starting position for your checkers and the farthest point from your Home Board. You move your checkers from the 24-point towards your Home Board to remove your checkers and win the game.
What is Acey-Deucey in the Backgammon board game?
When you roll a 1 and a 2, you move your checkers as usual. If you have used both numbers, you can then choose a double of the same number (like 2s, 4s, or 6s) to play for extra moves. This is the only time doubling can occur.
