Play Backgammon Online Free with Friends
Backgammon, free and online in your browser. Roll the dice, hit your opponent’s blots, block the points they need, and race to bear off first — real-time multiplayer with a friend, no download and no signup.
2 players · ~15 min · free forever · Classic Games
How to play Backgammon
- Each player races 15 checkers around the board toward their home quarter, moving by the roll of two dice. You and your opponent travel in opposite directions.
- At the start, one die is rolled for each player — the higher roll goes first and plays both opening dice.
- Each die moves one checker its own number of points (one checker may use both). Doubles are played four times!
- You may land on any point that is open, yours, or holds exactly ONE enemy checker — landing on a lone checker HITS it and sends it to the bar. Two or more enemy checkers block the point.
- A checker on the bar must re-enter in the opponent's home quarter before anything else may move.
- You must use as many dice as possible; when only one of two different dice can be played, it must be the larger.
- Once ALL your checkers reach your home quarter, bear them off with exact rolls (bigger rolls bear off from your rearmost point).
- First to bear off all 15 wins. If the loser bore off none, it's a GAMMON (2 points) — and if they still have a checker on the bar or in your home, a BACKGAMMON (3 points)!
Backgammon FAQ
- Does it have a doubling cube?
- No — these are single-stake games. Gammons still count double and backgammons triple.
- Are the rules the full ones?
- Yes, including the fussy ones: the opening roll plays both dice, doubles give four moves, you must re-enter from the bar before anything else, you must use as many dice as you legally can, and bearing off needs an exact roll unless you are moving the rearmost checker.
- Can I play against the computer?
- Yes. Add a bot and it plays a real race-and-hit game rather than moving at random.
- Do I need an account?
- No. Type a name and play — no signup, no download, nothing to install. Making an account is optional and only exists to keep your stats, nickname and preferences across devices.
- Is it really free?
- Yes, all of it. Every game on Board Game Universe is free to play, with no premium tier holding anything back.
- Can I play on my phone?
- Yes. It runs in a mobile browser on phones and tablets as well as on a desktop — there is no app to download.
- How do I play with my friends?
- Start a table and send your friends the link. They open it, type a name, and sit down. Moves and table chat happen in real time.
- Can I play against the computer?
- Yes. Add a bot to any table and it plays a proper game — useful for filling a seat while you wait for a fourth.