Backgammon Board Setup: Complete Visual Guide (2026)

Setting up a backgammon board correctly is the first step to playing. This guide walks you through every detail so you’ll never start a game wrong again.

The Board Orientation

Before placing any checkers, orient the board correctly:

1. Open the board so it lies flat with the hinges on your left or right
2. Position the board so each player sits across from each other
3. The home board should be closest to the light source (traditional) or simply agreed upon by both players — usually the quadrant nearest the right-hand side of each player
4. The bar runs down the center, dividing each player’s home board from their outer board

The Four Quadrants

Note: Points are always numbered from each player’s perspective. Your 1-point is your opponent’s 24-point.

Checker Placement

Each player has 15 checkers. Place them as follows:

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Place 2 checkers on your 24-point (the farthest point from your home board, in your opponent’s home board area)

Step 2: Place 5 checkers on your 13-point (the first point in your opponent’s outer board)

Step 3: Place 3 checkers on your 8-point (in your outer board)

Step 4: Place 5 checkers on your 6-point (in your home board — also called the “lover’s leap” point)

Quick Reference

Total: 15 checkers per player = 30 checkers on the board

Both players’ setups mirror each other. When you look at the board, you should see an asymmetric but balanced arrangement.

Doubling Cube Placement

The doubling cube starts in the center of the bar (or to the side of the board), showing 64 — which signifies a value of 1 (the cube is “centered”). Neither player owns it initially.

Dice and Cups

Each player keeps their dice and cup on their right-hand side of the board. Dice are always rolled on the right-hand side of the board.

Common Setup Mistakes

Mistake 1: Wrong Number of Checkers

Always count: 2 + 5 + 3 + 5 = 15 checkers per player. No more, no less.

Mistake 2: Reversed Home Board

The home board should be the quadrant closest to you. If you’re bearing off checkers away from you, the board is oriented backwards.

Mistake 3: 5-Point vs 6-Point Confusion

The five-checker stack goes on the 6-point, not the 5-point. This is the most common setup error.

Mistake 4: Forgetting the 8-Point

The 3 checkers on the 8-point are easy to forget. Without them, you’re starting with an illegal position.

Mistake 5: Doubling Cube Position

The doubling cube should be centered (not owned by either player) at the start. It should display 64.

Direction of Movement

After setup, remember:

• You move your checkers from the 24-point toward the 1-point (into your home board)
• Your opponent moves in the opposite direction (from their perspective, from their 24-point toward their 1-point)
• Checkers never move backward

Frequently Asked Questions

How many checkers does each player start with in backgammon?

Each player starts with 15 checkers, arranged across four positions: 2 on the 24-point, 5 on the 13-point, 3 on the 8-point, and 5 on the 6-point.

Which way does the home board face in backgammon?

By convention, the home board is placed to the right of each player (nearest the light source in traditional play). Both players’ home boards face inward toward each other. The direction can be agreed upon before the game, but the right-side convention is standard.

Are both players’ setups identical in backgammon?

Yes — both setups are mirror images. Your 24-point is your opponent’s 1-point, so the positions are symmetric. Both players always start with a pip count of exactly 167.

What is the bar in backgammon and where is it in the setup?

The bar is the raised center ridge running down the middle of the board, dividing the home and outer boards. No checkers are placed on the bar at setup — it only receives checkers that have been hit during play.

Can I use a checkers set to play backgammon?

Technically yes, but a dedicated backgammon set is much better. Backgammon sets include the board with 24 triangular points (spikes), 30 checkers in two colors, two pairs of dice, a doubling cube, and often dice cups. Checkers sets lack most of these.

Why Board Setup Matters Strategically

The starting position is not arbitrary. Each checker placement has a specific strategic purpose rooted in thousands of years of play and confirmed by modern computer analysis:

• 2 checkers on the 24-point — Your “runners.” These checkers need to travel the full board length. Starting here creates the opening strategic tension: do you run them early or anchor?
• 5 checkers on the 13-point — Your “midpoint.” The highest-traffic, most flexible position. These builders are ready to slot key points in your outer board.
• 3 checkers on the 8-point — Your builders. These support making key points in your outer board (bar-point, 9-point) on the next roll.
• 5 checkers on the 6-point — Your home board anchor. Five here means you’ve already made your 6-point — the first point of your home board, and the last point before bearing off.

Understanding this logic helps you see why the first move matters so much. Every opening roll attempts to improve on this starting position in a specific direction.

Point Numbers and Direction

The numbering of points is a common source of confusion for new players. Here’s how to think about it:

• Your home board = Points 1 through 6, closest to you on your right side
• Your outer board = Points 7 through 12, farthest from you on your right side
• Opponent’s outer board = Points 13 through 18, farthest from you on your left side
• Opponent’s home board = Points 19 through 24, closest to you on your left side

The key insight: both players count from their own perspective. What is your 24-point is your opponent’s 1-point. This is why both setups are perfectly symmetric — each player is a mirror image of the other.

Movement Direction

You move your checkers from higher to lower numbers — from your 24-point toward your 1-point. Your goal is to get all 15 checkers into points 1–6 and then bear them off.

Your opponent moves in the opposite direction from their perspective, which means they are moving toward you on the board. This creates the natural collision and interaction that makes backgammon exciting.

What a Complete Backgammon Set Includes

If you’re purchasing your first set, knowing the components helps:

Quality Levels

Beginner sets (£15–£50): Plastic or vinyl, basic construction. Perfectly functional for learning and casual play.

Club sets (£50–£200): Felt-lined, wood or fiberboard construction, comfortable checker feel. Good for regular players.

Tournament sets (£200–£500): Quality leather or high-grade materials, precision-weighted dice, professional grade. Used at serious club and tournament level.

Luxury sets (£500+): Artisan craftsmanship, exotic materials (leather, walnut, marble, exotic wood). Hermès, Asprey, and bespoke makers offer sets at £4,000–£20,000+.

For beginners, any set in the £20–£80 range from a reputable board game retailer is perfectly adequate.

Setting Up for Popular Variants

The standard setup described above applies to classic backgammon. A few popular variants use different starting positions:

Nackgammon

Nackgammon replaces 2 checkers on the 6-point and 2 on the 13-point with 2 on the 23-point. This creates a more complex, contact-heavy game. Everything else is identical.

Acey-Deucey

Acey-Deucey (popular in the US Navy tradition) begins with no checkers on the board — players enter all 15 checkers from the bar during the game. Setup is simply: clear board, bar ready, doubling cube centered.

The First Roll and Starting Position

By convention, each player rolls one die. The player who rolls higher goes first, using both numbers shown. If both players roll the same number, they re-roll until different numbers appear.

After setup, the very first move often targets one of these goals:

1. Making a key point (5-point, bar-point) — If the dice allow it
2. Splitting the back checkers — Moving one runner from the 24-point to improve anchor prospects
3. Slotting — Placing a builder on a key point, accepting blot risk for future payoff

The starting position ensures both players face identical circumstances, so the outcome depends entirely on dice rolls and decision-making.

Ready to Play?

Now that your board is set up correctly, you’re ready to play! Check out these guides:

• How to Play Backgammon — Complete beginner’s guide
• Backgammon Rules — Official rules reference
• Opening Moves — Best first moves for every roll
• Best Backgammon Sets — Choosing the right set for your needs and budget
• Equipment Guide — Deep dive into equipment specifics
• Play vs Computer — Jump right into a game!