Backgammon is one of the oldest games in the world, and one of the most satisfying to learn. If you have ever wanted to know how to play backgammon, the good news is that the basics take about ten minutes to pick up, and a lifetime to master. This guide walks you through the setup, the rules, and a few opening strategies, so you can sit down at a board anywhere and play with confidence.
Why Backgammon Belongs in Your Carry-On
There is a reason backgammon has survived for roughly five thousand years. It is fast, social, and endlessly replayable, and a single round rarely outlasts a glass of wine. That makes it the ideal travel companion, whether you are waiting out a layover or settling into a slow afternoon by the water.
A good travel backgammon set rolls small and fits into your hand luggage without a second thought. Our boards are handmade in Los Angeles from leather that only gets better with use, so the game you learn this summer is the one you will still be playing a decade from now. It is the rare souvenir that earns its place in the bag every single trip.
Setting Up the Board
Backgammon is played by two people on a board of twenty-four narrow triangles called points, split into four quadrants of six. Each player has fifteen checkers, and the goal is to move all of yours into your home board and then off the board entirely. First one to clear all fifteen wins.
The starting position is always the same, so it is worth memorizing. Place two checkers on your farthest point, five on your thirteen point, three on your eight point, and five on your six point. Your opponent mirrors you exactly on the opposite side. Once you have set it up two or three times, the pattern sticks. The board's symmetry is part of its quiet appeal.
How to Play Backgammon: The Basic Rules
To decide who starts, each player rolls a single die, and the higher roll goes first using both numbers shown. From there, players alternate turns, rolling two dice and moving their checkers toward home according to the numbers.
You can move one checker the total of both dice, or split the roll across two checkers. A checker can only land on an open point, meaning one that is empty, holds your own checkers, or holds just one of your opponent's. Roll a double and you get four moves instead of two, which is where games swing fast.
Land on a point holding a single enemy checker, called a blot, and you hit it. That checker goes to the bar in the middle and has to re-enter on the far side before its owner can do anything else. Once all your checkers reach your home board, you start bearing them off. Clear the board first and the game is yours.
A Few Beginner Strategies Worth Knowing
Backgammon for beginners is mostly about balance: move quickly toward home, but do not leave lonely checkers exposed along the way. A single blot is an invitation, and a well-timed hit can send your opponent all the way back to the start.
Try to build points in your home board early. Stacking two or more checkers on the same point closes it off, and a row of closed points can trap an opponent on the bar with nowhere to land. Anchoring a pair deep in your opponent's home board is smart insurance too, giving you a safe base if you get hit later. Beyond that, pay attention to the dice. Backgammon rewards the player who adapts to the roll rather than forcing a plan, which is exactly what makes it so quietly addictive.
Choosing Your First Set
Half the pleasure of the game is the object itself. A beautiful board makes you want to play, and it turns an ordinary evening into something that feels like an occasion. When you are choosing your first travel backgammon set, look for genuine leather, a secure closure, and checkers weighty enough to feel deliberate in your hand.
If you like warm, classic tones, the Byron in rich brown is an easy place to start. For something with a little more contrast, the Manhattan in tan and black reads sharp in any setting. You can see the full range across our travel backgammon boards, and if you want to go deeper on materials and sizing, our complete guide to luxury travel backgammon sets covers everything to weigh before you buy.
Once you know how to play backgammon, the hardest part is finding someone to stop playing with. Pick a board you love, learn the rules over one lazy afternoon, and you will have a game that travels with you for life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is backgammon hard to learn?
No. The core rules of backgammon take about ten minutes to learn. You can be playing a full game your first afternoon, and the depth and strategy reveal themselves naturally the more you play.
How do you set up a backgammon board?
Each player places two checkers on their farthest point, five on the thirteen point, three on the eight point, and five on the six point. Both players mirror each other on opposite sides of the board.
How many checkers does each player have in backgammon?
Each player has fifteen checkers. The goal is to move all fifteen into your home board and then bear them off. The first player to remove all their checkers wins.
Is backgammon a good travel game?
Yes. Backgammon is fast, played by two, and a single round rarely takes long, which makes it ideal for flights, hotel terraces, and poolside afternoons. A leather travel set folds shut and fits easily in hand luggage.