Backgammon — Rules

Goal

Move all 15 checkers into your home board and bear them off before your opponent.

The roll

The two dice are two separate moves. One checker may use both numbers only if the intermediate point is legal.

Doubles

A double is played four times. 4–4 means four separate moves of 4.

Use both dice

Use both numbers whenever legally possible. If either number can be played but not both, the higher number must be played.

Hitting

Landing on a point with one opposing checker hits it and sends it to the bar. Checkers on the bar must re-enter before other moves.

Bearing off

You may bear off once all 15 checkers are in your home board.

Winning

The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins.