How to play Backgammon in the browser
Backgammon is a two-player race. Each of you owns 15 checkers. White runs from the 24-point toward the 1-point; Black runs the other way. You move by the pips on two dice — or four moves when you roll doubles. Hit a lone blot and it sits on the bar until it re-enters. Bear off only when every checker is in your home board. The first player to bear off all 15 wins the game; leave your opponent with none off and it is a gammon (×2), or a backgammon (×3) if they still occupy your home or the bar.
Rules that matter at the table
The opening roll is one die each; the higher number plays first using both faces. If you can use both dice you must. If only one number is legal, play the larger one when it is available. Checkers on the bar enter first. A point with two or more enemy checkers is blocked. Higher rolls may bear off a lower checker only when nothing sits on a higher point. Online dice are rolled on the server — the client never picks a face.
Strategy tips
Early, build a prime and unstack the midpoint. Hitting is right when you do not hand back a shot on a blot-rich outfield. When the position becomes a race, stop hitting and count pips. The doubling cube (and Crawford on match variants to 3, 5, or 7) is a second game: offer when you would be happy to play on for twice as much, drop when the take is a long-term loss.
More strategy games
If you like turn-based board games, try Chess, Checkers, and Go in the same arena — room-code online, Local vs, or vs Computer, no download.
Backgammon FAQ
Do you roll the dice on my phone?
No. The server rolls for every online game so neither player can choose a number.
Can I undo a checker before I submit?
Yes. Moves stay local until you press Confirm move. Undo pops the last pip of the turn.
What difficulties does the computer use?
Beginner picks at random among legal plays. Easy and Medium use a pip / safety / prime heuristic. Hard searches one ply across all 21 rolls in a Web Worker.
