Backgammon: Nackgammon

How to play Backgammon (Nackgammon)

Backgammon is a board game for two players in which each player rolls two dice to race 15 checkers around the board and bear them off, hitting the other player's lone checkers on the way.

Four checkers start in your opponent's home board instead of two.

About Backgammon (Nackgammon)

Nackgammon starts with two checkers on your 24 point and two on your 23, four on the 13, three on the 8 and four on the 6.

With four checkers back in your opponent's home board instead of two, you start 194 pips from home instead of 167, with more checkers to bring past your opponent's.

Every other rule is the rule of Backgammon, the cube in a match included.

The goal of Backgammon

Backgammon is played by two players, each with 15 checkers that move in opposite directions around a board of 24 points, and here you play against a computer player. Be the first to bring all your checkers into your home board and bear them off.

How to set up Backgammon

Each player numbers the points from their own side, 1 to 24, and their home board is points 1 to 6. In Backgammon each player starts with two checkers on the 24 point, five on the 13, three on the 8 and five on the 6.

To start a game each player rolls one die, and the higher number moves first, playing the two numbers rolled. Equal dice are rolled again.

Backgammon rules

On your turn you roll two dice and move a checker for each number, from a higher point towards a lower one. A checker may land only on an open point, one not held by two or more of your opponent's checkers. One checker can take both numbers if the point between is open, and a double is played four times.

You must use both numbers if you can, and all four of a double. If only one number can be played, play it; if either could be played but not both, play the larger. If no move is possible, the turn passes.

A single checker on a point is a blot. If your opponent lands on it, it is hit and goes to the bar, and it must come back in on the point of your opponent's home board that matches a die before any other checker of yours moves. If it cannot come in, the rest of your roll is lost.

Once all your checkers are in your home board, you may bear them off. A number removes a checker from the matching point. If that point is empty you must move a checker from a higher point, and if there is none higher, you remove one from the highest point you hold. You may also move inside your home board instead, and a checker hit meanwhile has to come all the way round before you bear off again.

The full Backgammon guide, with strategy tips and common questions