How to Play Backgammon Online
Starting to play backgammon online takes only a few minutes, but a little preparation makes the first sessions far more enjoyable. This page covers what you need, who to play against, how long your matches should be, and a short checklist to run through before you click the dice for the first time.
What you need
- A device with a decent screen. A computer or tablet shows the whole board comfortably. A phone works, but small checkers make misclicks more likely, so take your time.
- A stable connection. Online matches often run on a clock. If your connection drops, your time may keep running, so avoid playing on a weak signal when the match matters to you.
- An account, if the server requires one. Many servers let you play a bot as a guest, while games against people usually need a registered name so that results and ratings can be recorded.
- Basic knowledge of the rules. You do not need to be an expert, but you should know how checkers move, what hitting is and how bearing off works. If any of that is unclear, read the rules of backgammon first.
Playing a bot or playing people
Most online backgammon services offer both, and each has its place.
Against a bot
A computer opponent is always available, never gets impatient and never minds if you think for five minutes about a single move. That makes it ideal for learning the interface and the rules without pressure. Modern backgammon programs are very strong, so do not be discouraged by losing; even a strong human loses to them more often than not over a long series. Some services let you choose a weaker level, which is better for building confidence.
Against people
Human opponents bring the social side of the game: a greeting, a few words in chat and a rating that moves with your results. They also make mistakes, which means you can win by playing solidly. The trade-off is that people expect you to move at a reasonable pace and to finish the match you started. A quick look at the etiquette guide will help you avoid common misunderstandings.
Choosing a match length
Online backgammon is usually played as a match to a set number of points, such as 1, 3, 5 or 7. A single game can be worth one, two or three points depending on whether it ends in a plain win, a gammon or a backgammon, and the doubling cube can raise the value further.
| Match length | Typical feel | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 point | One game decides everything; doubling serves no purpose | Learning the basics quickly |
| 3 points | Short, but the cube and gammons start to matter | First matches against people |
| 5 points | Several games; luck evens out a little | Regular play once you are comfortable |
| 7 points or more | Longer sessions where skill shows more clearly | Players who want a serious test |
Longer matches reward skill more because there are more rolls for luck to balance out. For your first games, short matches are better: you see more different positions in the same amount of time and finish before fatigue sets in.
Picking a time setting
Many servers use a clock with a short delay for every move plus a time bank for the whole match. Before you start, check how much time you have. If the settings feel too fast, choose a slower table; there is no benefit in learning under time pressure.
First-game checklist
- Check which direction you move. Online boards may show your home board at the bottom right or bottom left, and some let you flip the board in the settings.
- Find the roll, confirm and undo buttons before the game starts.
- Decide whether you want automatic moves turned on, such as automatic bear-off or forced moves played for you.
- Look at the match length, the clock and the score display.
- Have the standard opening moves nearby so your first play is a good one.
- Greet your opponent, play at a steady pace and finish the match.
After the first game
Play a handful of short matches before judging how you are doing. Results over a few games say little; results over dozens of games start to show real progress. Pay attention to the moves you hesitated over, because those are the positions worth studying next.