Understanding Backgammon Rules

The game of backgammon has been around for quite some time now. Over the years, it has remained as one of the more exciting games to play. For newcomers to the game, learning the game is very easy.

The principal aim in the game of backgammon is to advance a player's checkers from one end of the playing board to the other, eventually clearing the checkers from the board. The first player to successfully remove all their pieces off the board wins the game.

Both players alternately roll two dice and the number that appears on the dice determines the number of points the checkers can be moved. The individual number that appears on each dice represents two possible moves. For instance, if the dice shows a 4 and 3, a player can advance one checker four points and the other three spaces. Another option is to move one checker seven points.

Whenever necessary, the active player should use the two numbers that appear on the dice. In case only one number is possible to use, the number should be played. If there is no possible move, the player loses his turn and play commences with the other player. If there are numerous numbers, then there is a need to maximize the number of spaces available. You are allowed to advance your checkers into a space occupied by your pieces, or a point occupied by one of your opponent's checkers.

In case of a double, you can move your checkers twice the number that appears on the dice. For instance, if the dice shows a couple of threes, then you have the option to advance four checkers three points each, or one checker twelve points.

The game ends when one player has cleared all of their playing pieces first before his opponent. This is called "bearing off." The losing player then determines the number of points that he has lost. If a minimum of one checker has been borne off, the player only loses the total that appears on the doubling cube. On the other hand, if all the checkers are still intact, the player is gammoned and loses twice the amount of that appears on the doubling cube. Backgammon occurs when the losing player still has a complete set of checkers and some of them are still in the bar. Here, the losing player is deducted thrice the amount of the number appearing in the doubling cube.

Learning the rules of backgammon may be difficult at first, but it is actually simple to understand and play. One way of learning the game is by playing with someone who knows the game.


    
     
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