Rules of Backgammon

As in all board games, backgammon also involves 2 players and also rolling of two dices. The basic idea behind each backgammon game is to remove all the 15 checkers on the game board before the opposite player does. This process of total removal of 15 checkers is called 'bear-off'. An experienced player would bear off by getting all the checkers into his/her home board first and then removing them as per the score that come according to the roll of the dices.

When the backgammon game starts, firstly the player to start the game is decided. This is decided by making both players throw one of the two dices. The one who rolls the highest number will have to start the game. When and if there is a tie, the rolling of dices would continue until the numbers differ.

In a typical game, the player who starts off the game goes by the number of the dice score. The players can use both dices or use it one by one to make two separate checker movements. After each movement, the other player takes over.

Just in case a player rolls a double or the same number on both the dices, he can play that number four times using any checker he chooses. The player cannot move a checker to a point where there is more than one checker of the opponent. Simply put, when your dice number is 2 and 6, you can move one checker 8 points or move one checker 2 points and the other 6 points.
In backgammon, the 'blot' is a point occupied by only one checker. By landing on a blot, the player can hit his/her opponent's checker and move it outside the board into the bar. And to move the checker off the bar, the player has to take it first to an open spot in the opponent's board and if he is unable to do so, he has to forego his chance.

The stage when the player starts to take off the checkers out of the board is called a 'bear off'. And this happens when all the checkers are within a player's home board. After the player throws the dice, the checkers are removed from the corresponding points in his home board.
When the dice is rolled and the score shows a number that is not occupied by a checker, the gamer can as well advance his checkers forward. Just suppose the player rolls 4 and 2, and the 4 point is empty, he can advance his 6 or 5-point forward by 4 points.

Another backgammon rule says that if a player rolls doubles, he has to move them twice. If the player throws a double six, he will have to make four different moves each along six separate points.

According to backgammon rules, if it is possible, a player has to move the counters on the board. And if it happens that only one number can be played the player has to move for it. If in a situation, either one can be played but not both can be played, then he has to play the higher number of the two.