Backgammon (10)

How to Play Backgammon

Like a Rolling Stone

After you've thrown the dice to begin your turn, you can apply both numbers to one stone or each number separately to two stones. If, for example, you throw a 5 and a 4, you can move one piece a distance of nine points, or you can move one piece five and a second piece four.

Note: When you use both die numbers for one stone, the points must be open for each die value, just as they need to be open for moving two stones separately.

If you throw a doublet (two identical dice), say a 3 and a 3, you play that number four times rather than twice: you can move one piece 12 points, or one piece nine points and one piece three, or two pieces six points each, or four pieces three points each.

A stone cannot land on a point occupied by two or more of the opponent's stones. You are not allowed to make that move, even if you have only one piece left and there is no other move you can make. A point occupied by two more stones is an indestructible fortress; that point is said to be closed or made. However, though you can't share a point with enemy pieces, you can jump over them.

Any number of pieces of the same color can rest on one point. If necessary they are piled on top of each other. This keeps one side's pieces from encroaching on the other side's.

Moves are always compulsory, even when it's in your best interests to stand still. If you can only use one of the two numbers you rolled, then you must do so. You must always try to use the higher number.

Next: Sending Blots to the Bar