Backgammon
The classic dice-and-strategy race game, free to play in your browser. Roll, move, hit and bear off — play against the AI or a friend on one screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have another question? Let us know.
Is this Backgammon game free?
Yes, it is completely free and runs right in your browser. No account, no download and no installation are needed.
Which rules does this version use?
Classic (international) backgammon rules without a doubling cube: hit blots, re-enter from the bar, bear off after all checkers reach your home board. Wins score 1 point, gammons 2 points and backgammons 3 points.
How do I play against the computer?
Choose "Play vs AI" and pick a difficulty. The AI plans full dice sequences with an emphasis on safety, hitting and building points — easy is relaxed, hard plays a disciplined game.
Can I play with a friend?
Yes. Choose the two-player mode and share one screen — you take turns on the same board, just like a tabletop set.
Are the dice fair?
Yes. Each die is generated independently with a standard random number generator, exactly like physical dice — streaks and doubles are a normal part of the game.
What do gammon and backgammon mean?
If the loser has borne off no checkers, it is a gammon and counts double (2 points). If the loser also has a checker on the bar or in the winner's home board, it is a backgammon and counts triple (3 points).
What is the pip count shown above the board?
The pip count is the total distance all your checkers must still travel to bear off. Comparing pip counts tells you whether you are ahead or behind in the race.
Does the game work on mobile?
Yes. The board scales to your screen and the full-screen mode gives you a larger layout on phones and tablets.
Explore Game Details
About this game
Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games, with roots going back thousands of years. Two players race their 15 checkers around a 24-point board according to dice rolls — combining luck with deep strategy. This version uses classic rules with no doubling cube: first to bear off all 15 checkers wins, with bonus points for a gammon (2) or backgammon (3).
Benefits
Backgammon trains probability estimation, risk assessment and short-term planning. Every roll asks you to weigh safety against speed — deciding when to leave a blot, when to make a point, and when to race. Games are short enough for quick matches yet reward long-term thinking.
How to Play
- Roll the dice and move your checkers the number of pips shown — you may split the two dice between two checkers or play both on one.
- White moves toward point 1 (bottom right, counter-clockwise); black moves the opposite way. A point held by 2 or more opponent checkers is blocked.
- Landing on a lone opponent checker (a blot) sends it to the bar. If you have checkers on the bar, you must re-enter them before making any other move.
- Rolling doubles lets you play that number four times.
- You must use both dice if legally possible; if only one can be played, you must play the higher number.
- Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board, bear them off. The first player to bear off all checkers wins — 2 points if the opponent has borne off none (gammon), 3 if they also have a checker on the bar or in your home board (backgammon).
Core rules at a glance
Backgammon is a race: both players move their 15 checkers in opposite directions around the board, guided by the dice.
- Moves follow the dice. Blocked points (2+ opponent checkers) cannot be landed on; single checkers can be hit and sent to the bar, and must re-enter before anything else moves.
- Bring all 15 checkers to your home board, then bear them off. First to bear off all checkers wins: 1 point, or 2/3 points for gammon/backgammon.
Strategy tips
Make points in a row (a prime) to trap opponent checkers on the bar — six consecutive points win games outright.
Don't leave blots in your home board when the opponent has checkers on the bar: direct shots are the most painful hits.
When clearly ahead in the race, break contact, race home and play safe. When behind, keep contact and shoot at blots.
Distribute your checkers evenly: points made with exactly two checkers (anchors and blocks) are the most efficient use of material.
Related Games You Might Like
Warzone
Conquer the world in this classic RISK-style online strategy game. Claim territories and dominate the globe!
Gomoku
Place stones to connect five in a line on a 15×15 board. Challenge AI or play with friends. Simple rules, deep strategy.
Go (Weiqi)
Play Go online free on 9x9 or 13x13 boards: capture stones, respect the ko rule and count area vs a heuristic AI. Chinese rules with adjustable komi and handicaps.
