Backgammon — play backgammon online free

1. Tap one of your glowing checkers, then tap a highlighted point to move it. If it has only one place to go, one tap moves it.
2. Play both dice; a double is played four times. Undo takes back a step of your turn until you press Done.
3. A checker that is hit goes to the bar and must come back in before any other move.
4. When all fifteen of your checkers are in your home board, start bearing them off into the tray on the right.

Backgammon, called takhte nard in Persian, is one of the oldest board games in the world. Two players move fifteen checkers each around twenty-four points according to two dice, and the first to bring every checker home and bear it off wins.

Our board is styled after the inlaid boards of Iran: dark walnut, khatam star inlay, ivory and ebony checkers and deep red and teal points. The dice tumble, the checkers glide and click into place, and a calm santur melody plays in the background.

Every rule of standard backgammon is here: the bar, hitting, entering, bearing off with exact or higher dice, gammons and backgammons, and the rule that you must use both dice (or the larger one) when you can. Online, our server rolls the dice and checks every move, so the game is always fair.

• You must use both dice if any legal play allows it. If only one die can be played, you must play the larger one when possible.
• A single checker on a point is a blot: land on it to send it to the bar.
• You win a single game by bearing off first, a gammon (×2) if your opponent has borne off nothing, and a backgammon (×3) if they still have a checker on the bar or in your home board.
• The doubling cube is an option against the computer and in friendly online games. Backgammon never pays Points here.

• Make points in your home board and in front of your opponent’s back checkers: six in a row (a prime) cannot be passed.
• Avoid leaving blots where your opponent has direct shots of 6 or less.
• When you are far ahead in the race, stop fighting and run your checkers home.

Can I play backgammon against the computer?

Yes. Pick Normal or Hard. Hard looks one roll ahead and rarely makes a mistake.

Can I play backgammon online with a real person?

Yes. Quick match finds a real player; if nobody is free within a few seconds, a Bot takes the seat so you can play right away. You can also invite a friend with a link.

Is it fair? Who rolls the dice?

Online, our server rolls the dice and checks every move, so nobody can change the dice or make an illegal move.

Do I earn Points in Backgammon?

No. Backgammon is just for fun, and that is why the doubling cube is allowed here.

Is backgammon free here?

Yes, completely free in your browser on mobile and desktop, with no download.