- 1
The board has 24 points. White and Red each have 15 checkers and move in opposite directions. You (White) move from point 24 toward point 1; points 1–6 are your home board.
- 2
To start, each player rolls one die. The higher roll moves first, using both of those numbers (ties are re-rolled).
- 3
Roll two dice and move checkers by the numbers shown. You can move one checker by both numbers or two checkers by one each. Doubles are played four times.
- 4
If you can use both dice, you must. If only one can be used, you must use the higher one when possible.
- 5
You can't land on a point held by two or more opposing checkers. Landing on a single opposing checker (a blot) hits it and sends it to the bar.
- 6
Checkers on the bar must re-enter into the opponent's home board before you move anything else. If the entry point is blocked, that number can't be used.
- 7
Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board, you can bear them off: with the exact number, or with a higher number if no checker of yours sits on a higher point.
- 8
The first to bear off all 15 wins. If the loser hasn't borne off any, it's a gammon (2 points); if the loser also still has a checker on the bar or in the winner's home board, it's a backgammon (3 points).
