You can set up the backgammon board in less than 5 minutes. For casual backgammon players, it’s easy to forget how to set up the backgammon board, but if you remember the pattern of 5-3-5-2 (going left to right, with the same pattern mirrored on the other side of the board with the opposite pieces), it’s a good start. Read on for more detailed instructions, and get ready to play in no time.
What You Need
While backgammon sets come with large round black and white discs, it’s fine to substitute checkers, tiddlywinks, or even quarters and nickels in a pinch.
Backgammon board30 playing discs or checkers, 15 in each of two colorsTwo six-sided dice to play the game
Know Your Terms
Like many other well-established games, backgammon has its own set of names for pieces and parts of the board. Get to know the terms so you’ll be ready to play against anyone!
The 24 triangular areas on which the discs are initially placed and across which they move are called points.The home board is the half that includes both players’ home areas (this could be on your left or your right, depending which color you’re playing). The other half is the called the outer board.The bar separates the home board from the outer board.
Before You Start
Set Up the Board
Alternative Ways to Play
A doubling cube can be used to speed along the gameplay and add an additional element of strategy to the game. The backgammon doubling cube looks like a regular die, but it is a little larger and it has the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 printed on its faces. It can be purchased at a game store or online. The doubling cube allows the players to double the value of the game. Advanced players may use “beavers” which enable players to redouble, or double the value of the game again.
