Play Backgammon Free Online
This is the classic backgammon that has been played on kitchen tables for centuries — you against the computer, one game at a time — made easy to see and easy to play. It runs straight in your browser with no download, no installer, and no account. Open the page and the board is set up.
The checkers are deliberately large and the points are drawn with a clear edge, so the board stays readable on a phone as well as a laptop. You do not have to drag anything: tap a checker and every point it can move to glows gold, then tap the one you want. If you would rather drag, that works too. When you have a checker on the bar the board tells you so, and when a roll leaves you no move at all a Pass button appears.
There is no clock, no doubling cube, and nothing to lose. Undo takes back any move you have made this turn, hints are unlimited, and the computer plays at a relaxed pace unless you ask it to play its best. If you close the tab, your game is saved — whose turn it is and which dice are still to play — and waiting when you come back.
How to Play Backgammon
You have fifteen ivory checkers; the computer has fifteen of the other colour. The aim is to bring all of yours round to your home corner and then bear them off the board. The first side to bear off all fifteen wins.
- Rolling: tap Roll dice. Each die is one move: a checker may go forward the number of points shown on that die. You can move two different checkers, or the same checker twice. A double gives you four moves.
- Blocked points: you cannot land on a point where the computer has two or more checkers. If you land on a point where it has just one, you hit it — that checker goes to the bar and must come back in from the start.
- The bar: if one of your checkers is hit, it must come back in before you move anything else. It enters on the far side of the board, on the point matching the die.
- Bearing off: once all fifteen of your checkers are in your home corner, a die can take a checker off the board. Tap the checker and then the home tray when it glows.
- Both dice: you must use both dice when you can. If only one can be played, play it; if either could be played but not both, the higher one must be.
- Hint shows a good way to play the whole roll, numbered in order. Undo takes back the moves you have made this turn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Backgammon game free?
Yes. It is completely free to play, with no purchases, subscriptions, or hidden fees.
Do I need to download anything?
No. It runs directly in your web browser on a computer, tablet, or phone. There is no app to install and no account to create.
How do you play Backgammon?
You have fifteen ivory checkers and the computer has fifteen. Roll the dice and move your checkers the number shown on each die, always in the same direction, round the board towards your home corner. A point holding two or more of the computer's checkers is blocked; a point with just one can be hit, which sends that checker to the bar to start again. Once all your checkers are in your home corner you bear them off, and the first side to bear off all fifteen wins.
Do I have to drag the checkers?
No. Tap a checker and every point it can move to lights up in gold; tap one of them and the checker moves there. You can drag a checker instead if you prefer.
Is there a time limit or a score?
No. There is no clock, no countdown, no doubling cube and no points to protect. Take as long as you like over each move.
Can I undo a move?
Yes. During your turn you can take back any of the moves you have made so far, as many times as you like, until the computer replies.
How strong is the computer?
By default it plays at a relaxed pace that keeps games close and friendly. In Settings you can switch it to Standard, where it plays its best game.
Does it save my game?
Yes. Your game is saved automatically in your browser, including whose turn it is and which dice are still to play, so you can close the tab and pick up exactly where you left off.