Backgammon rules are easy-to-follow once you have read a good set of them and have played a beginner game against an opponent. Backgammon rules can be found throughout the Internet, as well as in a variety of game books that can be found at the library or bookstore. To start off with an understanding of the game, backgammon rules usually begin with the object of the game.

The object of backgammon is to move all of your pieces into you home board area and then bear them off. You may be thinking, "what the heck does 'bear off' mean?" Bearing off your pieces simply means that you are moving your piece or checker off of the board. Backgammon rules also state that there is a stage within the game where a player has all of their checkers in the inner area of the board and can begin the process of eliminating all of their pieces off of the board. This refers to the bearing off phase of the game. The rules of backgammon state that the first person to bear off all of their pieces, wins the game.

So how do you play? Below you will find a list of some of the backgammon rules that are usually adhered to when one wishes to engage in this entertaining game.

Moving the Pieces

At the start of a game, backgammon rules state that each player throws a single dice. Whoever rolls the highest number will move first. Backgammon rules say if both players toss the same number on the dice, they are instructed to roll again until different numbers are shown. The player with the highest number will move that amount of spaces on the board. After the first roll has passed, the opponents will throw two dice for the rest of the game and alternate turns.

The number of the dice is the number of points, also referred to as pips, that a player can move his checkers. The checkers are always positioned forward, sticking to a lower-numbered digit.

Backgammon Rules

Rules for this game include:

1) A player may move their checker only to a point that is open, meaning two or more opposing checkers cannot occupy the space.

2) The numbers that are shown on the two dice make up two separate moves. If a player rolls a 6 and a 2, then they can move one checker six spaces to an open point and another checker two spaces to a point that is open. The player may also choose to move one checker a total of eight spaces to an open point. Backgammon rules state that this move can only be done when three or five spaces are open from the starting point.

3) When rolling a double, a player is supposed to play double the number that is shown on the dice. For example, if two 3's were rolled, then the player could move three spaces for a total of 4 different times. Backgammon rules state that this move can be accomplished in any way they see fit using the numbers that were tossed.

4) When tossing the dice, a player must play both of the numbers that are shown on that roll. All possible legal moves must be used. In the event that only one number can be played, it must be taken. If either number can be used, but not both of them, the larger number must be used. A player loses their turn when neither number can be played. Backgammon rules state that in the case of doubles, as many numbers as possible that can be played should be played at the time of that turn.