Backgammon on Arcadia
Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games, combining strategy and luck. The goal is simple: move all your checkers into your home board and bear them off before your opponent does.
Arcadia's version features a clean, modern interface and a challenging AI opponent to help you sharpen your skills.
How to Play
- Roll the dice to determine your move distance.
- Move checkers consistently towards your home board (White moves counter-clockwise).
- You cannot land on a point occupied by 2+ opponent checkers (a block).
- Landing on a single opponent checker (blot) hits it to the Bar.
- Checkers on the Bar must re-enter from the opponent's home board.
- Once all checkers are in your home board, you can start bearing them off.
Key Rules
- Movement: You can split dice values between two checkers or use both on one.
- Doubles: If you roll doubles (e.g., 4-4), you get four moves of that value.
- Entering: You must enter checkers from the Bar before moving any others.
- Bearing Off: You can only bear off checkers if all your active checkers are in your home quadrant.
Winning Strategy
- Build Primes: Create 6 consecutive points to trap your opponent.
- Don't Leave Blots: Avoid leaving single checkers vulnerable to being hit.
- Race vs. Contact: If you are ahead in the race (pip count), try to break contact and run. If behind, try to hit or block.
Tips
Strong play usually comes from tempo, risk control, and converting small advantages.
- Play lines that keep your options open.
- Protect key assets and avoid overextending.
- Force your opponent into predictable responses.
FAQ
How do I win?
Be the first player to move all your checkers into your home board and then bear them all off.
What happens if I get hit?
Your checker goes to the Bar (center). You must roll to enter it into the opponent's home board before moving any other pieces.
What are doubles?
Rolling two of the same number (e.g., 5-5) gives you four moves of that number instead of two.
Can I play with a friend?
Currently, this version is single-player vs AI. PvP modes may be coming soon!
Ready to play Backgammon?
Launch the free demo, learn the flow, and practice tactics before higher stakes.
