Standard Backgammon Rules

Though some people that would like to learn how to play backgammon feel that it would be too hard, it really isn't. 

Backgammon rules state that backgammon is a two person game somewhat like checkers (but not really). The object of the game is to move all of your own pieces into your home area and then bear them off. The first person to do this wins the game. Sound simple? It is!

To begin the game, the backgammon rules calls for each player throw one of their dice. The number on the die will determine how far each player will move. After the first throw, players will throw both dice at one time and take alternate turns. The number on the dice will determine how many places the player moves. The player will move forward but can only move to an open point. The player can move one piece the total number of the dice, or two pieces with each piece moving the number showing on the dice (for example, move on piece 4spaces and one piece 3 spaces for a total of 7).

The backgammon rules state that if a player rolls doubles on his turn, he will get to double his moves. For example, if he throws two 5's, he'll have four. He can move four pieces five times or one piece twenty times. A player must try to use all of his numbers.  If he cannot, he has to move a piece with the largest number possible.

When you have a point occupied by a single checker of either color, it is called a blot. If an opposing piece lands on a blot, backgammon rules considers that blot a hit and placed on the bar.

Any time a player has one or more checkers on the bar, his first obligation according to the backgammon rules is to enter that piece or pieces into the opposing home board. A piece is entered by moving it to an open point that corresponds with one of the numbers on the rolled dice.

Once all of you pieces are on the home board, you must bear off. To do this, you must roll a number on the dice that corresponds to the number the piece is on. If you roll a six and have a piece on that number, take it off. If you can make two moves and get two pieces off, this is legal.  If you don't have a piece on the number that you roll, you must move at least one of your pieces that many times. The first person to remove all of his pieces wins the game.