Understanding how Backgammon Chips Move

When considering the game of backgammon, it would be safe to say that the way that players move their backgammon chips determines the outcome of the game and separates the winner from the loser. Newcomers to backgammon may be a little bewildered by the initial set up and movement of these chips but, as they will see after several games, it is quite straight-forward and easy to understand.

The main objective of the game is for the backgammon chips to be moved in a certain way and direction across the board, and eventually off the board. The player who manages to move his chips off the board first is the winner. Players need to note several things. Firstly, chips are moved forwards – they cannot move backwards on the board. Players should bear in mind, however, that the chips are moving against their opponent’s. This can be a little tricky to grasp initially but a few games of backgammon will clear up any confusion.

Backgammon chips are moved according to the number thrown on the dice. They need to be moved to certain points on the board and players need to aim to keep them on the board, without having them ‘hit’ by the other player. If a player has his chip hit, it has to be placed on the bar and the player can only resume play after returning the chip back to the board. Once players have their chips on their home boards (ie. from points one to six), they can start bearing off (removing) them from the backgammon board. The player who does this first is the winner of the game.