How to Keep Score in Backgammon

Backgammon is one of the oldest board games you can play, with references to games very similar dating back over 5,000 years to ancient Iran. One of the reasons for this long-standing popularity is the unique combination of both skill and luck to win the game and no two games are alike.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Backgammon game board
• Pair of dice for each player
• 15 game pieces
• Doubling cube, which is used widely in backgammon tournaments
• Two dice cups
• Two players

Keep Score in Backgammon

1. Determine how many points you will play to against your opponent. Tournaments set the score ahead of time with matches commonly needing 5, 7, 11 or 15 points for a win.

2. Win one game of backgammon against your opponent to score one point without the use of the doubling cube.

3. Score two points by winning the game before your opponent can bear off one of his game pieces by moving the piece completely around the board and then off the board.

4. Make three points with a 'backgammon,' which means you bear off all of your game pieces while your opponent has failed to get all of her pieces into her home section of the board.

5. Use the 'doubling cube' to double the number of points the game will be worth. For example, if your opponent uses the doubling cube, the game becomes worth two points and the cube is passed to you. If you do not want the game to be worth two points, refuse to double and take an automatic loss of the game (giving your opponent one point). You can double the game value again to make the game worth four points. If the double is refused, you win two points. Games can be doubled an unlimited number of times.

6. Keep totaling the points after each game. A maximum of three points can be won without the doubling cube and over 100 points can be won if the doubling cube is used.

7. Win the match by reaching the agreed upon number of points (individual games won plus extra points) first.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a 'prime' during a game to keep your opponent from moving by having at least two game pieces on each point (triangle shape where game pieces rest) in front of your opponents' game piece(s).
• Use the 'doubling cube' carefully when it is to your fullest advantage. You can win or lose an entire match in one physical game by using the doubling cube.
• Make sure you know how many points must be scored to win a match before joining in a tournament.