Backgammon (9)

How to Play Backgammon?

Backgammon is played by two players on a special board with 15 pieces to a side. The pieces making up each side are called stones. Though they may be of any color, the darker-colored pieces are called Black while the lighter ones are called White.

The board is divided into two halves, or tables, by a partition running down the center. This is called the bar. The outer table is on your left, the inner table is on your right. In each table there are six points (long, thin triangles).
The pieces move according to your throw of the two dice. The players roll the dice to see who goes first, with the higher roll winning. (If the numbers are the same, you just roll again.)

The player with the higher number uses that for his first turn, if the rules are set that way. From then on turns alternate, and you always throw the dice to begin your turn. (The exception to this is when you are shut out, which can occur when your blot is on the bar. If your enemy's stones have crowded all available space so no possible points are open, you don't get to throw the dice and your turn is over.)

The object of the game seems odd at first: You win by being the first player to transport all of your stones off the board! To do that you must first get all of your stones into your inner, or home, table. Once they're all safely home, you can proceed to move them off the board. Pieces move from point to point.

Next: Backgammon - rolls like a Rolling Stone.