Long backgammon

Long backgammon is an ancient game for two opponents. Each player has fifteen checkers. The goal is to bring all fifteen around the board into the home and bear them off first.

1. 01

   Setup

   All fifteen of a player’s checkers stand on a single point — the “head”. Opponents occupy opposite corners of the board.

2. 02

   Movement

   Players take turns rolling two dice and moving checkers. Both opponents move in the same direction — counter-clockwise.

3. 03

   Doubles

   If the dice show the same number, the turn is played twice — four moves instead of two.

4. 04

   The head

   Only one checker may leave the head per turn. The exception is the opening roll with doubles 6-6, 4-4 and 3-3.

5. 05

   Open points

   A checker may be placed only on an empty point or a point held by that player’s own checkers. In long backgammon, opponent checkers are not hit.

6. 06

   The block

   A solid row of six occupied points may not be built while no opponent checker remains ahead of it.

7. 07

   Bearing off

   Once all checkers are gathered in the home, they are borne off the board by the dice rolls.

8. 08

   Victory

   The winner is the first to bear off all fifteen checkers. If the opponent has borne off none, it counts as “mars” — a double win.