Play Backgammon Online

How to play backgammon

1. 1

   Each player has 15 checkers. The goal is to bring them all home and bear them off the board.

2. 2

   Roll the dice and move checkers by the numbers shown. Doubles (e.g. 4-4) give four moves.

3. 3

   Landing on a point with a single opposing checker hits it. The hit checker goes to the bar and must re-enter first.

4. 4

   A point with two or more checkers is closed: your opponent cannot land there.

5. 5

   Once all your checkers are home you start bearing off. The first to bear off all checkers wins.

6. 6

   If you finish before your opponent bears off any checker, it's a gammon and the game is worth 2 points.

7. 7

   If you have a hit checker and all six points of your opponent's home board are closed, you can't enter: your turn passes without rolling until a point opens.

Online table rules

1. 1

   Whoever opens the table picks the match length: single game, first to 2 or first to 3. There are no draws: first to 2 ends 2-0 or 2-1, first to 3 ends 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2. A gammon is worth 2 points.

2. 2

   You have 60 seconds per turn. If time runs out your move is played automatically. In a match (however many games it lasts) this can happen twice; running out of time a 3rd time loses the match.

3. 3

   If your connection drops, your seat is held and, if it's your turn, your clock stops; when you return, your dice and moves continue where you left off. You have 3 disconnections per match: return within 90 seconds the 1st time, 75 the 2nd and 60 the 3rd, or you lose. A 4th disconnection loses the match immediately.

4. 4

   Switching to another app or tab is allowed and isn't a disconnection, but your clock keeps running; when it's your turn you must come back and play within 60 seconds.

5. 5

   In the league the winner earns as many points as the match length (single game 1, first to 2 gives 2, first to 3 gives 3), +1 for a gammon. A player who abandons the table or loses on time loses 1 point.

League and rooms

Sign in and choose a nickname to play in the league. A win is worth as many points as the match length (single game 1, first to 2 gives 2, first to 3 gives 3), +1 for a gammon; a player who abandons the table or loses on time loses 1 point. As your points grow, higher rooms unlock:

• BeginnersOpen to everyone
• Novices10+ points
• Experienced20+ points
• Masters40+ points
• Professionals70+ points
• Legends100+ points
• Sultans200+ points

Wins in rooms two or more levels below yours earn you no points, so beginners can play in peace.

Top players

The all-time top 10.