About Backgammon
What Backgammon is
Backgammon by Tamaki is classic backgammon for two players. Each player has 15 checkers. White moves toward points 1–6, so the point numbers go down. Black moves toward points 19–24, so the numbers go up. This version does not use the doubling cube.
Objective
Move all 15 of your checkers into your home board, then bear them off. White’s home is points 1–6. Black’s home is points 19–24. The first player to bear off every checker wins.
How a turn works
The player chosen before the match rolls first. Each die is one move. Use both dice on one checker, or split them between two. Doubles give four moves of that number. Click one of your checkers, then a glowing point. If a die cannot be played, it is skipped. The turn ends when the dice are used or no move remains.
Hits and the bar
A lone opposing checker is a blot. Landing on it sends that checker to the bar. Two or more opposing checkers block the point. If you have a checker on the bar, enter it before moving anything else. White enters on 19–24: a 1 lands on 24, and a 6 lands on 19. Black enters on 1–6: a 1 lands on 1, and a 6 lands on 6.
Bearing off
When every checker is in your home, click a checker, then Off. The die must match the distance from that point. A larger die can bear off only your furthest checker.
Number of players
Backgammon is a two-player game. Pass one device between two people, play against Tamaki at Easy, Medium, or Hard, or host a table for someone else.
Strategy
A point with two or more of your checkers is closed, and your opponent cannot land there. A blot can be hit and sent to the bar. Enter from the bar before you move anything else, because a checker left on the bar uses the next roll.
Local and online play
Play on this device against Tamaki, or pass the device between two people. Online, the host opens a table and shares a 6-character code. No account is required. The Android app shows ads, and a one-time purchase in Google Play removes them.
Where to play
Play in the browser at backgammon.tamakitech.com, or install Backgammon on Google Play.