Playboard

Learn Backgammon: Free Interactive Backgammon Lessons

Every lesson here is played on the board you play matches on. The dice are already rolled for you: read a few lines, move your checkers, and the board tells you whether the play worked. Start with the rules if you have never played. If you already know them, go straight to the strategy.

  • 12 lessons
  • 40 min
  • Free, no sign-up
Start the first lesson
Lessons for every game

Unit 1

The rules

The board and which way the checkers move, how the dice are played, doubles, hitting and the bar, bearing off, and what counts as a gammon. Everything you need to play your first match.

  1. The Backgammon Board: Points, Quarters and Direction

    Learn the backgammon board on a live board. The 24 points, the four quarters, where your 15 checkers start and which way each side moves.4 min

  2. How to Move Checkers in Backgammon With Two Dice

    Learn how the two dice move your checkers in backgammon. Move one checker or two, find the open points, and see when the larger die must be played.3 min

  3. Rolling Doubles in Backgammon: Four Moves, Not Two

    In backgammon a double gives you four moves instead of two. Play double 4s and double 6s on a live board and see how far a double can take you.2 min

  4. Hitting a Blot in Backgammon: Blots and the Bar

    Learn what a blot is in backgammon and how to hit one. Land on a lone checker, send it to the bar, and hit from far away with both dice.4 min

  5. How to Enter From the Bar in Backgammon

    When your checker is hit in backgammon, it must come back in from the bar before anything else moves. Learn which rolls enter and what happens when none do.3 min

  6. How to Bear Off in Backgammon

    Learn to bear off in backgammon. Take checkers off once all 15 are home, bear off from the top point with a high die, and move down when a die has none.3 min

  7. Winning at Backgammon: Gammons and Backgammons

    The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins at backgammon. Learn what a gammon and a backgammon are, and how Playboard counts them.2 min

Unit 2

First strategy

The ideas that win games once you know the rules: the best opening moves, making points and primes, anchors for your back checkers, playing safe against blots, and counting pips to see who leads the race.

  1. The Best Opening Moves in Backgammon

    Learn the best opening moves in backgammon on a live board. Make a point with 3-1, 6-1 and 4-2, split with 4-1, run with 6-5, and see every first roll.6 min

  2. Making Points and Primes in Backgammon

    Learn why points matter in backgammon. Make your 5-point, hit a blot and make a point in one turn, and build a six-point prime that traps White.4 min

  3. Anchors in Backgammon: Where to Keep Your Back Checkers

    Learn to use anchors in backgammon. Make an advanced anchor with your back checkers, keep them from being primed, and run once you lead the race.3 min

  4. Safe Play in Backgammon: Blots, Shots and Risk

    Learn when a blot is in danger in backgammon. Count direct and indirect shots, see how your points block them, and find the play that leaves White no shot.3 min

  5. How to Count Pips in Backgammon

    Learn the pip count in backgammon. Add up how far your checkers still have to travel, find out who leads the race, and run home when you are ahead.3 min