Backgammon Questions, Part 1

This article is for beginners interested in the game of Backgammon. Before you delve into playing the game you should read below to learn more about Backgammon.

What is Backgammon? Backgammon is a game that is often played in a fast-paced mode; the game is played on a board exclusive to the game. There are two sets of checkers, with 15 pieces each, with two different colors in each set. One color is light and the other one has a dark color. The moves of the checkers are generated from the throw of the two dice.

What is Tournament Backgammon? Tournaments of Backgammon are played in a formal style of competition, in which the players are paired, on entrance, to compete to eliminate pre-assigned opponents.

Both competitors will play a series of tournament games until a specific player has achieved a predetermined number of points; this constitutes the length of the match.

What is "Head-to-Head" (also known as the "Money Game")? Aside from the formal tournament, the game of backgammon can be played between two players - this is called head-to-head. There is no upper-limit that is specifically applied.

What is "choutte"? This is an enjoyable form of the backgammon game, which has become quite popular; this enables multiple participants to compete in the complete series of games. The chouette refers to play between two competing sides; there is more than one player from each side of the group.

What is the right beginning position of the checkers? The game of backgammon is played with its own specially designed board; on the surface there are twenty-four bicolor triangular points. Each of the four quadrants has six points; the bar is the one that divides the board into two sections.

How is the game started? The contending players will roll each die to identify who will play first. The player that got the highest number after rolling the die will have the opening roll. If both get the same number on the die, they will repeat the procedure, until one has the dominant roll .

7) What determines a valid roll? In formal tournaments, or in head-to-head, the players have their own individual pair of dice. The player should use a cup to make sure that the roll is fair. After the player shakes the dice, they will roll to the surface of the board, located on the right side of the bar. The two dice must lay flat on the board to determine the numbers that have come up. If the dice are "cocked", the player will repeat rolling the dice.

This is our first group of frequently asked questions, regarding backgammon. In part two, to follow, we address more question regarding this interesting and popular game.