Standard Backgammon

A wooden board split into two sides sets up a head-to-head match in Standard Backgammon. Twenty-four long points run across the surface in alternating colors, arranged in four groups of six. White travels counterclockwise and Black moves clockwise, each side reading the points from its own home board. Point 24 stands farthest from home for one side and serves as point 1 for the opponent. Home covers points 1 through 6, the outer board takes 7 through 12, the rival home board holds 19 through 24, and the remaining area covers 13 through 18. Short backgammon rules shape the match for two players, with all checkers racing around the board and off the table from the home board.

How to play?

Roll one die against the other player, using a reroll if both dice show the same value. Higher numbers take the first move, and both opening values must be played on that first move. Rolling two dice after the opener sets each move, with checkers traveling only from higher-numbered points toward lower ones. A checker may land only on an open point, which means no point is blocked by two or more opposing checkers. Bearing off begins after all of one color's pieces reach home. Removing every checker from the home board before the opponent does wins the match.