Rules for Backgammon

Backgammon with cards is a card-based version of the classic board game that has been played for over 5,000 years. This variant lets you play Backgammon anywhere without a large board and pieces. The game combines strategy and luck and is suitable for 2 players aged 6 and up. A game typically takes 20–30 minutes.

The goal is to be the first to move all your cards around the board and bear them off. You move your cards based on dice rolls (or card draws), and can hit your opponent's cards along the way.

You need one standard deck of cards and preferably two dice. Here's how to set up:

1. Create one pile of 15 red cards and one pile of 15 black cards
2. Lay 12 cards face down in a row to mark the game board
3. Place one card crosswise in the middle of the row to mark the center bar
4. Place the cards like this (counting fields from the left):
   • Field 1: 5 red cards above, 5 black cards below
   • Field 5: 3 black cards above, 3 red cards below
   • Field 7: 5 black cards above, 5 red cards below
   • Field 12: 2 red cards above, 2 black cards below

The 12 fields on top and 12 on the bottom represent the 24 points on a standard backgammon board.

Each player moves in their own direction around the board:

• Red player: Moves cards counterclockwise and aims for the goal at bottom right
• Black player: Moves cards clockwise and aims for the goal at top right

The six fields closest to the goal are called the player's home board. You must have all your cards in your home board before you can start bearing them off.

Players move in opposite directions, so they will cross paths along the way.

Here's how to play:

1. Start: Both players roll one die each. The highest number starts and uses both dice (their own and the opponent's) for the first move
2. Regular moves: Roll both dice. You have two moves, one per die
3. Moving cards: Move one card the number of spaces shown on the die, or use both dice on the same card
4. Doubles: If you roll doubles, you get four moves instead of two

Important movement rules:

• You cannot land on a field where the opponent has two or more cards (the field is blocked)
• If the opponent has only one card on a field, you can hit it
• When moving the same card twice, you must be able to land legally after the first move

When you land on a field where the opponent has a single card:

• The opponent's card is hit and placed aside on the bar
• Hit cards must re-enter before the player can move other cards
• Cards enter at the back of the board (top right for red, bottom right for black)
• You use the dice roll to count in from outside the board
• Example: If you roll 3 and 5, you can choose to enter on field 3 or field 5 from your starting side

If all entry fields are blocked by the opponent, you must pass until you roll a number that lets you enter.

When all 15 of your cards are in your home board (the six fields closest to the goal), you can start bearing them off:

• Roll the dice and bear off cards from the corresponding fields
• Example: If you roll 3 and 5, you can bear off one card from field 3 and one from field 5
• If you have no cards on the field the die shows, you can move a card from a higher field
• If you roll higher than needed, you can bear off cards from lower fields, but only if you have no cards on higher fields

If one of your cards is hit during the bear-off phase, you must get it back to your home board before continuing.

The game ends when one player has borne off all 15 cards. Scoring:

• Regular win (1 point): The opponent has borne off at least one card
• Gammon (2 points): The opponent has not borne off any cards
• Backgammon (3 points): The opponent has cards on the bar or in the winner's home board

In longer play, games are often played to a set number of points (for example, first to 7). Many players also use a doubling cube to raise the stakes during the game.

If you don't have dice, you can use cards instead:

1. Create two piles: one with black cards from Ace to 6, and one with red cards from Ace to 6
2. Ace counts as 1; face cards are removed
3. Shuffle each pile separately
4. Draw one card from each pile instead of rolling dice
5. Return the cards and reshuffle before the next draw

This gives roughly the same probability as dice, but takes a bit longer. A dice app on a phone also works well.

Some tips for improving your game:

• Blocking: Try to build anchors (two or more cards) on important fields to block the opponent
• Safety: Avoid leaving cards alone when the opponent can reach them
• Timing: Sometimes it's better to hold back and build a strong blockade before moving forward
• Running game: If you're ahead, try to avoid contact and race toward the goal
• Holding game: If you're behind, try to keep an anchor in the opponent's home board
• Risk: Always weigh risk against reward. Sometimes you need to take chances to win

Dice add an element of luck, but the stronger player tends to win over time.

Some popular variants:

• Acey Deucey: If you roll 1 and 2, you choose a double roll afterward and get an extra turn
• Nackgammon: Start with two extra cards on the opponent's 2-point
• Hypergammon: Play with only 3 cards each for a faster game
• No blocking: For beginners, ignore the blocking rule for the first few rounds

Many families play with their own house rules. The main thing is that everyone agrees before the game starts.