Backgammon is Easy to Learn

Backgammon is a game that has been played for many years because it is a fun game. Many people are afraid to learn it because of the complicated layout of the board and the movement of the checkers called stones. It is a relatively easy game to play but learning it and mastering the game are two different things one need to know to be good in it.

The game is played by two players. The brown and white stone is held in each hand and presented to the other player palms down, to decide which player gets to play which stone color. A single die is thrown by either one to find out who gets to go first. The player who gets the highest number starts to move each piece of checker laid in a set pattern.

The game board has twenty four points, twelve on each player's side. The points are divided into two halves by a center partition called the bar. To the right of the bottom player and the left of the top player is the home base from where each opponent must be able to put all 15 stones first to be able to win.

The stones are moved in a counter clockwise manner and could only be placed in the home base when all of the stones are in the bear off area. If you begin to bear off and then hit by your opponent, you must enter that stone and move it to your home table before you can resume bearing them off anew. The winner is the person who gets to put all stones in the home base first.

Each player makes a move according to the face amount of each dice thrown during their turn. When a double number is rolled, the player moves their stone twice for each die, allowing him to move at least four stones. A player can move their stones only at points where they have stones, or points where their opponents has only one stone. A point with two or more of their opponent's stone is present, is called a closed point and player is not allowed to land there.

There will come a point in time when the rolled number could not produce a move, if that is the case, one loses their turn. When bearing off, if one has no stone on the highest point indicated by the number on the face of the dice, they must bear off from the next highest occupied point. For example, you rolled a 6 and a 3, but there are no stones in point six, then you could move the stone in point 5 to home base.

These are the rules of the game. Take time to know the right moves. Playing with a good opponent can give you hours of fun and enjoyment..