The Role of the Backgammon Checker in the Game

admin · Site Admin Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 862

While the backgammon board is the most recognized 'symbol' of the game, the backgammon checker also plays an important role in any game and the way that the player maneuvers his checkers ultimately determines the outcome of the game. The backgammon checker is one of 30. Each player gets 15 of them, in either white or black to distinguish between the two players on the board.

The backgammon checker is placed in a specific way on the backgammon board before the game commences. Two checkers are placed on the twenty fourth point, five on the thirteenth point, three on the eighth point and five on the sixth point. After players roll the dice to see who begins first, the backgammon checker is moved according to the numbers on the dice. If the player gets three and four, for example, one backgammon checker is moved four points, and the other three. Alternatively, the player can move one checker over seven points.

The backgammon checker eventually needs to make its way across the board and onto the player's home board. Once all the checkers are on the board, the player can begin to move his checkers off the backgammon board altogether. The first player to do this wins the game. Players need to take care to protect their checkers while moving towards their home board. If the opponent is able, he will 'attack' lone checkers and send them off to the bar. The player then needs to start the process of moving that particular checker all over again.