Understanding the Rules of Backgammon
Backgammon is a game which is played on a board made up of twenty four triangles known as points - each of which is divided into four quadrants consisting of six triangles alternating in colors. Each quadrant represents the home and outer board of the opposing players. The home and outer boards are divided by a ridge in the middle of the board known as the bar.
The points are numbered for each player which begins at their own home board. The furthermost point represents the 24 point, which is likewise the 1 point of the opposing player. At the onset, both players get fifteen checkers with its own color. At the start of the game, the checkers are arranged as follows: two checkers are positioned on the twenty four point, five pieces are placed on the thirteen point, three are located on the eight point, and five checkers on the six point.
When the board has been set up, the players will now aim to move their checkers in their own home board and then clear them off. The first player who clears the board will be declared the winner. To start off, each player shall spin a die. This will determine which player will have the first turn as well as the number of moves. If the same numbers are shown on the dice, they will roll again until they obtain a different number. The player who spins the higher number moves his checkers based on the numbers shown on the dice. From this point onwards, the players will use two dice and then take alternate turns.
The number that appears on the dice determines the number of pips the checkers will be moved. The movement of the checkers is always forward to a point with a lower value.
A blot ensues when one point has a checker of either color. When a checker of the opponent lands on that spot, it is momentarily placed on the bar. The moment any player has more than one checkers on the bar, that player should first enter his checkers into the home board of his opponent. This can be done by moving the checker to an unoccupied according to the number that appears on the dice.
When a player moves all of his checkers into their home board, they can start removing them from the board. The player bearing off moves his checkers depending on the number that is based on the point where his checker lies, and then clearing that checker from the board. For example, when the number that appears on the dice is a 6, they can clear a checker in the six point.
Although backgammon has various rules and regulations, it's a very exciting game to play with friends and family. It is easily to learn because the rules are not complicated.