Fundamentals of Backgammon - The Checkers

 Each player starts the game with 15 checkers.

On Backgammon Circle, with the default theme (which you can change in the settings) one player has white checkers and the other has green ones. Both sides move in opposite directions: your checkers advance toward your bearing off zone, your opponent's toward theirs.

Let's see where these 15 checkers are placed at the start of the game...

Here's the starting position. It's the same in every game of backgammon!

Notice that both sides don't have all their checkers on the same side. Some of your checkers start very far from your home board. They'll need to cross the entire board.

This is what creates the tension and strategy of the game.

 Let's break down the starting position for white (that's you!).

- 2 checkers on point 24: deep in enemy territory. These are your "back" checkers, they have the longest way to go.
- 5 checkers on point 13: in the middle of the board. This is your main group, ready to advance.
- 3 checkers on point 8: in your outer board. Well placed to build strategic points.
- 5 checkers on point 6: already in your home board! They're almost there.

Total: 2 + 5 + 3 + 5 = 15 checkers. The green side has the exact same setup, mirrored. Remember this position well, you'll see it every game!