Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about backgammon.
What is backgammon in a nutshell?
Backgammon is a two-player board game where each side races fifteen checkers around a track of twenty-four numbered points and then bears them all off the board. Each turn is driven by the roll of two dice, blending tactical positioning with a real element of chance.
How old is the game?
Its roots stretch back roughly five thousand years to Mesopotamian dice-and-checkers games found in royal tombs. The format evolved through Persia, Byzantium, and medieval Europe before settling into the twenty-four-point layout played today.
What do the terms "gammon" and "backgammon" mean in scoring?
A gammon is a win in which the opponent has not yet borne off a single checker, doubling the base stake. A backgammon (sometimes called a double gammon) is even more lopsided: the loser still has a checker on the opponent's home board or in the bar, tripling the stake.
What is the doubling cube and why does it matter?
It is a small block, initially marked "2," that either player may offer to double the current stake during their turn. Accepting locks in the higher value and the number doubles again; declining ends the game immediately with the offering player taking the current amount.
Is backgammon a game of luck or skill?
Because dice govern every move, any single match can go either way, but over a long series the strategically superior player wins far more often. This is why professional circuits, rated ladders, and even regulated betting leagues treat it as a skill-based contest.
Who are some of the most celebrated players in the game's history?
Bill Robertie, a four-time World Champion in the mid-1980s, is often cited as the most dominant figure of his generation. In the modern era, players such as Jonathan Spector and Adam Zolotow have claimed multiple World titles, keeping the competitive scene active.
What is "the bar" on a backgammon board?
The bar is the raised strip running down the center of the board. When a checker is hit, it is placed on the bar and its owner must re-enter it into the opponent's home board before moving any other pieces.
Where should a complete beginner start?
Learn the core mechanics—moving with dice, the bar, bearing off—then play a few casual games against a friend or a free online app to build intuition. From there, studying opening theory, blocking tactics, and when to offer the cube will steadily sharpen your play.
Has backgammon ever broken into mainstream pop culture?
Bill Robertie's 1990s dominance turned the game into a recognizable U.S. pastime, and it has since appeared in films, television series, and novels as a shorthand for high-stakes strategy. Its literary pedigree actually goes back much further, with references in Chaucer and other medieval writers.
Can you play backgammon with more than two people?
The official rules recognized by the World Backgammon Federation and every major tournament are strictly for two opponents. Informal three-player variants exist in some bars and clubs, but they are not part of sanctioned competition.