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How to play Backgammon? | Backgammon Instructions

    Learn all about the classic Backgammon game and have fun with friends, family, or playing with an opponent online.

    The backgammon board game is one of the oldest games of man. The first variations of the game are said to have started in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamian Area, and Ancient Rome. Since then, the game has evolved, been renamed several times, and spread to different parts of the world. It is currently an original pastime around the United States, East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

    To start playing you need a partner, two dice and a special backgammon table. The table is divided into two sides with divisions numbered from 1 to 24. Points 1 to 6 are the finish, 7 to 12 the start. 13 to 18 is the midpoint.

    At the beginning of the game, each player has two checkers at point 24, 3 checkers at point 8, 5 at point 13 and 5 at point 6. Each player rolls the dice and the highest score begins the play.

    The starter moves the pieces according to the opposite clockwise position, from his starting point to the opponent’s game point.

    The objective of the backgammon is to move your pieces to your opponent’s starting point and then remove them from the board. The speed of the game progress is determined by the results of the dice.

    Each player rolls two dice each turn and will owe one or two tokens according to the number rolled on each die. You can move a tile by adding the score of the two dice or move two. For example, if the result of the dice is 5 and 4, you can move a piece 9 places or move a 5 and then another 4 forward.

    If the dice roll doubles, a number twice, you can move the pieces 4 times instead of two. That is, if a double 2 is rolled, you will move 2 places four times. In that case, you can either move a tile 8 times, 2 tiles four places, 4 tiles twice, or whatever combination you choose that requires two places 4 times.

    You can move a token to a square where there are only one of your opponents, and so you “eat” it. This token is then placed in the middle of the board, called the bar.

    Your opponent can play again once I can place the tile in a box of his arrival that is not occupied by more than one tile of yours. For example, if he rolls the dice and it comes out 2 and in that box, there is no chip or only one of yours, he can enter and follow his moves. Otherwise, he will have to wait for his turn and try again.

    Once all your pieces have been placed on your opponent’s arrival box, you should begin to remove them from the board. That is, if you roll the dice and it rolls 1 and 2 you can move a tile from box 1, if it rolls 2, you can move a tile from box 2 and so on.

    If your opponent has not removed any pieces while you have removed 15, you win the game and vice versa. The same happens if you have removed 15 tiles and he has some in the middle of meals, (without even having removed any) you win the game.

    The game is very entertaining and intelligent in that it can accompany you on many occasions. Enjoy it!

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