Before you can go ahead and enjoy a game of Backgammon, it is essential you understand the various rules and tactics of the game. Once you learn the rules of the game, understanding the game is not all that difficult. Again, whether you choose to play Backgammon online or opt for a land-based game, the rules are predominantly the same.
The primary aim of playing this game is to remove all your checkers from the Backgammon board before your opponent can manage to do so. The game is to be played with 15 checkers for each player.
In order to begin playing this game, players need to ensure that all the checkers are placed in appropriate positions. Then, both the players are supposed to roll the die to decide who gets the first chance in the game. Both players then roll a couple of dice and move their men (checkers) accordingly. If a player manages to get the same number on both the dice, he/she gets four moves. These checkers can be placed in any of the empty spots on the board. Again, if the point holds only one of the opponent’s checkers, you can still place your checker on it.
Again, a game of Backgammon also gives you the opportunity to hit your opposing player’s checkers. Once you land on a spot that has only one of your opponent’s men, you can hit it and send it to the bar. On the other hand, if your player is hit by the opponent, you need to bring your checker back to continue playing. This can be done by bringing your checker into your opponent’s side of the board. You can do bring a checker back by choosing to miss a tail.
Bearing off is what the complete game of Backgammon is centred on. Once all your checkers are in the opponent’s side or home field, you can start bearing your checkers off. If you get a number on the dice that gives you enough room to move off the board, you can bear off.
It is established that the main aim of playing Backgammon is to tolerate all your checkers. However, you can do even more. If you manage to do to all your checkers before and if your opponent has managed to tear even one, you get two points which is also known as a Gammon. Similarly, if your opponent has at least a single checker in your half of the board, you get another three points. Backgammon grew to popularity predominantly as a land based game. However, it is also growing in popularity as one of the best online games out there. You can choose from a variety of online Backgammon sites to play the game. Some sites also offer free games that help you learn the game well before you can start playing. This is always the advisable thing to do before you start playing with real bets and money.
