Backgammon rules at a glance
Each player races fifteen checkers around the board in opposite directions, gathers them in their home board (the last six points) and then bears them off. The first to bear off all fifteen wins. Each turn you roll two dice and move by each number; doubles are played four times. You cannot land on a point holding two or more enemy checkers, and a lone enemy checker (a blot) can be hit and sent to the bar.
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FAQ
Is there a doubling cube?
No. Games here are single games without the cube. When a game ends you still see whether it was a single win, a gammon or a backgammon.
Are the dice fair?
In online games the server rolls the dice with a cryptographic random number generator; solo games use your browser’s random numbers. Nobody can set or change a roll.
Can I play without an account?
Yes. Games against the AI and pass-and-play on one device need no sign-in. Online matches and rankings need a GameNow account.
How do I play with a friend?
“Quick match” pairs you with the next waiting player, while “Invite a friend” creates a room with a code and link. The game starts as soon as your friend opens the link.
Is there a time limit?
Online, each roll and each checker move has a 45-second limit. If time runs out the dice are rolled or a legal move is played for you; after repeated misses you are marked away and the limit drops to 5 seconds.