Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world, and setting it up correctly is the first thing every new player needs to learn. The good news is that once you understand the pattern, it takes about thirty seconds and you will never forget it. This guide walks you through the standard starting position checker by checker, explains which direction each player moves, and covers the core rules so you can start playing straight away.
If you have just unboxed a new set and want to get playing, you are in the right place. Let us start with the board itself, because understanding its layout makes the setup obvious rather than something to memorise.
Understanding the backgammon board
A backgammon board has 24 narrow triangles called points, twelve on each side, alternating in two colours. The points are grouped into four quadrants of six: each player has a home board and an outer board. Running down the middle is a raised ridge called the bar, which separates the two halves and comes into play when a checker is hit.
Each player has 15 checkers, and the two players move in opposite directions around the board, each towards their own home board. The points are numbered from 1 to 24, starting from each player's own home board, so the numbering is a mirror image for the two players. That mirror is the key to the whole setup, and it is why the starting position looks the same from both sides of the board.
The standard backgammon starting position
Every game of backgammon begins from the same position. Each player places their 15 checkers in an identical pattern, mirrored across the board. Working from your own perspective, here is where your checkers go.
Two checkers on your 24-point. This is the point furthest from your home board, in the far corner on the opponent's home side. These two are your back checkers, and they have the longest journey home.
Five checkers on your 13-point. This is the point in the middle of the board, on the outer board directly across from your opponent's stack of five. This is your largest stack and is often called the midpoint.
Three checkers on your 8-point. This sits just inside your outer board, near the edge of your home board.
Five checkers on your 6-point. This is the point on the edge of your home board closest to the bar. Along with the 13-point, this is one of your two stacks of five.
That is 15 checkers in total: two, plus five, plus three, plus five. Your opponent sets up the exact same way from their side, so every stack faces its mirror image. If you have set up correctly, the two five-stacks on the midpoints will sit directly opposite each other, and each player's two back checkers will sit in the other player's home board.
Why backgammon is set up this way
The starting position is not arbitrary. It is designed to create an immediate balance of tension: your two back checkers on the 24-point are deep in enemy territory and need to escape, while your builders on the 6, 8 and 13-points are positioned to start building your home board and blocking your opponent. Every checker has a role from the very first roll, which is what gives backgammon its strategic depth despite the simple setup. Understanding the why makes the pattern much easier to remember than rote learning ever will.
Which direction do you move?
Each player moves their checkers in the opposite direction, always travelling from the 24-point around towards their own 1-point in the home board. Think of it as both players racing home, but starting from opposite corners and moving towards different sides.
The movement follows the numbers down: from the 24-point towards the 1-point, passing through the outer board and into the home board. Because the two players move in opposite directions, your checkers and your opponent's checkers travel towards each other and past one another, which is where the hitting and blocking come in.
The basic rules to start playing
Once the board is set up, the rules are quick to grasp. Here is what you need to know for your first game.
Rolling and moving. Each player rolls two dice on their turn. The two numbers are moved separately, either with one checker moving twice or two checkers moving once each. If you roll doubles, you play each number twice, giving you four moves instead of two.
Hitting and the bar. A point with only one checker on it is called a blot. If your opponent lands on your blot, your checker is hit and placed on the bar. From the bar, it must re-enter on the opposite home board before you can make any other move, which can cost you valuable time.
Making points. Two or more of your checkers on a single point make it yours, and your opponent cannot land there. Building a wall of consecutive made points is one of the most powerful tactics in the game, since it can trap your opponent's checkers behind it.
Bearing off. Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board, you can start bearing off, which means removing them from the board according to your dice rolls. The first player to bear off all their checkers wins the game.
Common setup mistakes to avoid
Two errors trip up almost every new player, and both are easy to avoid once you know to look for them.
Setting up in a mirror of your opponent rather than a true mirror. The most common mistake is placing your five-stack on the wrong side. Remember that your midpoint stack of five sits directly opposite your opponent's, and your 6-point stack is on the edge of your home board nearest the bar. If your stacks do not line up symmetrically with your opponent's, something is in the wrong place.
Choosing the wrong home board direction. Players sometimes disagree on which side is the home board. It does not matter which side you choose, as long as both players agree and your home boards are on the same side of the board as each other. The checkers then dictate the rest.
Choosing a backgammon set
A good backgammon set makes the game far more enjoyable to play and to display. The checkers should be weighty enough to sit firmly on the points without sliding, the dice should roll cleanly, and a well-made board simply feels better across a long evening of play. Many quality sets come in a folding case that doubles as the board and stores the checkers and dice inside, which makes them easy to pack away or take with you.
Our range of backgammon sets runs from practical folding boards ideal for learning and travel through to statement pieces in fine timber worth keeping on display. If you are buying for a household that enjoys a variety of games, our traditional games range brings together backgammon alongside the other classics worth owning.
From backgammon to chess and beyond
Backgammon and chess have sat side by side on games tables for centuries, and many players enjoy both. If backgammon has you in the mood for another timeless game, our guide on how to play chess is the perfect companion piece, and our full range of chess sets covers everything from first sets to heirloom pieces.
Whichever game you reach for, every Sterling Chess order is backed by our 100 day free returns, so you can be sure your new set is right for you at home.
Frequently asked questions
How do you set up a backgammon board?
Each player places 15 checkers in the same mirrored pattern: two on the 24-point, five on the 13-point, three on the 8-point, and five on the 6-point. Both players set up identically from their own side, so the stacks sit symmetrically across the board.
How many checkers does each player have in backgammon?
Each player has 15 checkers. In the starting position they are split into four stacks: two, five, three and five, placed on the 24, 13, 8 and 6-points respectively.
Which direction do you move in backgammon?
Each player moves in the opposite direction, always travelling from the 24-point towards their own 1-point in the home board. The two players move towards each other and past one another, which is what creates the hitting and blocking.
What is the bar in backgammon?
The bar is the raised ridge down the middle of the board that separates the two halves. When a checker is hit, it is placed on the bar and must re-enter play on the opponent's home board before that player can make any other move.
Why is backgammon set up the way it is?
The starting position is designed to give every checker a role from the first roll. The back checkers on the 24-point must escape enemy territory, while the checkers on the 6, 8 and 13-points are positioned to build your home board and block your opponent, creating immediate strategic tension.
Ready to play
Setting up a backgammon board comes down to one mirrored pattern: two, five, three and five, on the 24, 13, 8 and 6-points. Once you have it set up a few times it becomes second nature, and understanding why each stack sits where it does makes the whole game click. Set up the board, grab the dice, and play your first game.
When you are ready for a set of your own, browse our full range of backgammon sets, from folding travel boards to timber centrepieces. Every Sterling Chess order is backed by our 100 day free returns, so you can choose with complete confidence.
Written by Karl Matias, Customer Experience at Sterling Chess. Karl helps customers across the full range of games Sterling Chess stocks, from chess to backgammon and the other classics, and answers the setup and rules questions that come up most often for players getting started. He believes the fastest way to learn any board game is to set it up and play it, and that a well-made board makes every game more enjoyable.
