Play backgammon online free

Short backgammon is the classic game of backgammon: hitting, the bar and the doubling cube. Play it free and without signing up — press Start on the board above.

How backgammon is played

Fifteen checkers start on four points, and the two players move towards each other. A point is closed when two or more checkers stand on it. A lone checker, a blot, can be hit: it goes to the bar and must come back in before its owner can move anything else.

• You can bear off once all fifteen checkers are in your home board.
• A single game is worth one point, a gammon two, a backgammon three.
• The doubling cube raises the stakes: your opponent takes the double or gives up the game.

The full rules with the setup are on the backgammon rules page. The board won't let you make an illegal move, so you can learn as you play.

Who to play

The computer: three bots of different strength, each with its rating shown next to its name. A friend: by link. Real opponents: in quick game, as a single game or a match to 3, 5 or 7 points, as in tournaments.

Backgammon or long nardy?

Backgammon has more risk and more decisions in every game: when to hit, when to take a chance, when to double. For a calm game with no hitting, try long nardy.