Setting Up the Board

Setting up a backgammon board takes less than a minute once you know the pattern. Every game begins with the same arrangement, and getting it right matters: even one checker on the wrong point throws off the opening. The good news is that the pattern's easy to remember, and after a few games it will feel automatic. This guide walks through the board, the checkers, the equipment, and the variations you might encounter.

Understanding the Backgammon Board Layout

The board has 24 narrow triangles called points, numbered 1 to 24. A raised divider down the middle, known as the bar, splits the board into two halves:

• Your home board: points 1–6 (the quadrant closest to you, where you bear off).

• Your outer board: points 7–12.

• Opponent's outer board: points 13–18.

• Opponent's home board: points 19–24.

The numbering works in opposite directions for each player. Your 1-point is your opponent's 24-point, and vice versa. Colours on the triangles alternate for visibility but have no gameplay function.

The four quadrants of the backgammon board. You move checkers from your opponent's home board, through both outer boards, into your home board (points 1-6) where you bear off.

Step-by-Step Checker Placement

Each player sets up 15 checkers in the same fixed pattern. Think of it as the 2-5-3-5 rule:

• 2 checkers on the 24-point (your farthest point, deep in the opponent's home board).

• 5 checkers on the 13-point (the midpoint, at the start of your opponent's outer board).

• 3 checkers on the 8-point (in your outer board).

• 5 checkers on the 6-point (in your home board).

Your opponent places their 15 checkers in the exact mirror image: their 2 go on the 1-point (from their perspective, the 24-point), their 5 on the 12-point, their 3 on the 17-point, and their 5 on the 19-point.

Direction of Play and Movement Flow

Checkers move in a horseshoe path. You move from your opponent's home board (high-numbered points) through the outer boards and into your own home board (low-numbered points). Your opponent moves the opposite direction. The two players are always heading toward opposite ends of the board.

Your checkers move in a horseshoe: from your opponent's home board (top-right), across the top, down and across the bottom, into your home board (bottom-right). Your opponent moves in the opposite direction.

For movement rules, doubles, and turn sequence, see How to Play Backgammon.

Equipment and Accessory Setup

Beyond the board and checkers, a standard setup includes:

Doubling cube: a six-faced marker showing the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64. It starts centred on the bar with the 64 face up (representing a starting value of 1).

For how the cube works, see The Doubling Cube.

Two pairs of dice: one pair for each player.

Dice cups: one per player. In serious play, cups with a lip (a small ridge inside) help ensure a fair roll by preventing controlled throws.

Some sets include a scoreboard or score sheet, but those aren't required for play.

Common Setup Variations

The standard setup described above is used in most backgammon worldwide, but two popular variants change the starting arrangement:

Nackgammon

Created by Nack Ballard. Moves one checker each from the 13-point and the 6-point to the 23-point, giving each player four back checkers (two on the 24-point, two on the 23-point) instead of two. This creates more contact and longer games.

Acey-Deucey

A military variant named after its special 1-2 roll, which grants extra plays. In the most common American version all checkers start off the board and are entered during play, so the board begins empty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the home board on the left or right?+

Either side works. The home board can be on the left or the right depending on the physical setup, lighting, or player preference. What matters is that both players agree on orientation before placing checkers. In online play, this is handled automatically.

How many checkers does each player start with?+

Each player starts with exactly 15 checkers. They're placed in the 2-5-3-5 pattern across four points on the board.

How do you decide who goes first?+

Each player rolls one die. The player with the higher number goes first using both dice (their own roll and their opponent's) as the opening move. Ties mean both players roll again.

Does it matter which color you play?+

No. The two colors are functionally identical. Color is purely cosmetic and has no effect on gameplay, rules, or scoring.

Why are there 2 checkers on the 24-point?+

Those two back checkers make things interesting from the very first roll. They're deep in the opponent's home board, which means they have the longest journey home. But they're not just sitting there. They can anchor your defence and give you a chance to hit opponents who leave blots nearby. That push and pull between your far-flung checkers and the rest of your army closer to home is a big part of what makes the opening game so rich.