Each player throws a single die and
the player with the higher number goes
first. That player then throws both
dice and moves according to the number
on the dice. The checkers always move
forward and can only move to a certain
point if one of the following
conditions are met:
- The point is empty
- The point is occupied by the
players own checkers
- The point is occupied by a
single checker from his opponent
The number on the dice count for
different moves. For example if a
player throws a 5 and a 2 they can
move one checker 5 and another 2, or
they could choose to ad the scores
together and move one checker 7. When
only one move is possible the player
must make that move. If either number
can be played but not both then the
higher number has to be played. Of the
player rolls identical numbers (called
a doublet) he can move up to 4
checkers.
Stakes
Backgammon is played for an agreed
stake per point. Each game starts at
one point and, during the game a
player with an advantage may wish to
offer to double the stakes. He can
only do this at the start of his turn
before rolling the dice.
A player who is offered a double
may refuse and concede the game paying
one point. If they accept they play on
for higher stakes. Only a player
accepting a double can call the next
double.
The process is called
"doubling". Subsequent
doubles are called redoubles. If a
player refuses a redouble they pay the
number of points at stake before the
redouble. The doubling cube is used to
keep track of the stakes.
Hitting and Entering
A point occupied by a single
checker is called a blot. If an
opposing checker lands on a blot, the
blot is "hit" and the
checker is placed on the bar. Whenever
a player has a checker on the bar,
this has to be removed into the
opposing players home board, if they
cannot do this then they miss a go.
Bearing Off
Once a player has moved their 15
checkers into their home board, they
begin bearing off. A player bears off
by rolling a number which corresponds
to the point where one of their
checkers is lying. e.g rolling a four
means the player can remove a checker
from the four point.
A player must have all their
checkers in their home board to bear
off. If a checker is hit while a
player is bearing off, they must bring
that checker back to their home board
before they continue bearing off. The
first player to bear off all 15
checkers wins the game.
Gammons and Backgammons
If a losing player has borne off at
least one checker they lose the value
shown on the doubling cube. If the
loser hasn’t borne off any of their
checkers, they’re
"gammoned" and lose twice
the value of the doubling cube.
If the loser hasn’t borne off any
of their checkers and still has a
checker on the bar or in the winners
home board, they’re "backgammoned"
and lose three times the value of the
doubling cube.
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