Backgammon is a two player game, played on a board consisting of 24 narrow triangles called points. Each player has 15 checkers of their own color (white or black), a pair of dice, and a dice cup for shaking. The objective of the game is to bring all of one’s checkers into their home board and then bear off. The first player to bear off all of their checkers wins the game.

• Throw a single die to determine who will move first. Whoever rolls the higher number will make the first move (remember to use both dice to see who moves first)
• Number your points 1 through 24 starting with the point on the upper right-hand corner farthest away.
• Move onto points only; players cannot move onto point with two or more opposing checkers. Move checkers separately or in pairs (always move in a counterclockwise direction).
• Move all the pips shown on the dice. Play the larger number if you can only use one of the two numbers or as many of the doubles.
• Rest your opponent’s checkers on the bar when you hit a blot.
• Commence bearing off when you’ve moved all of your checkers into the home board quadrant.
• The doubling cube is used to double the points for which you play.
• Place the doubling cube on the bar at the beginning of play.
• Propose to double the stake of the game before you take a turn if you think you’re well enough ahead to risk it.
• Win the game if your opponent forfeits the double. Continue playing if they accept.
• Be cautions that your opponent may redouble if the game situation changes. A gammon doubles and a backgammon triples the stake of the cube.