Backgammon

RULES

Intro

Backgammon is a two player game, but up to 28 spectators can watch your game!

Some things to know about playing Mplayer backgammon:

• If you need to drop out of a game you won't leave your opponent hanging if the moderator selected 'Resign On Exit' when they created the room. With this option activated, your opponent will see a GAME OVER message. Spectators in the room will have the option to join the game and start a new game by pressing the 'Play' button. If you leave and the moderator did NOT select 'Resign On Exit' your opponent will be alerted that you left the Game Room, but the game won't officially end--which is kind of a drag. If a player drops out of a game in progress a spectator can take over the position.
• The player who moves first is picked randomly.
• Your name will blink when it is your turn.
• Your dice are the same color as your stones.
• The DBL button: Click the double button to double the stakes! Read more about this in the rules down below.
• The "Play" button will appear at the end of the game. Click it to play a rematch without leaving the game!

The Goal

You win by being the first player to move all your stones around the board to your home table, then bearing them off before your opponent does. You move your stones from the upper right hand corner, counter-clockwise, to the lower right hand corner, and then off the board. (Unless you reverse the board with the /flip command.)

Board and Pieces

Backgammon is a two player game and it's played on a board with pieces that look suspiciously like checkers (To keep the confusion to a minimum, we're calling these pieces 'stones'). Each player starts with fifteen stones of one color that are placed along the 24 points on the board. The points are assigned consecutive numbers and the board is divided into two halves by a center partition called the bar. (If you're confused, put your head between your knees, take a few deep breaths and then continue reading)

Starting a Game

The first player will be randomly selected when the game begins. That player should roll their dice. The players will then alternate turns, each rolling their own two dice. Your dice will be the color of your stones. To roll the dice, click the 'roll' button.

How to use your Dice

If you roll doubles (Where both die have the same number showing), you get to move double the total amount shown on the dice. There are two different views of the dice to indicate the moves you have taken so far. After you have taken the first turn of the double for a die, it will appear faded.

Let's say for example that you roll double 3s:
Once you have moved the first stone 3 points, one die will appear faded. After the second 3 points have been moved, the other die will fade. Move the third 3 points and one of the faded dice will disappear. When you have moved a stone 3 points for the forth time, the other faded die will disappear.

Combining dice:
The numbers you roll on the dice can be combined to move a single stone or used separately to move two stones. For example, if you roll a 6 and a 4 you can move one stone 6 points to an open point and another stone 4 points to an open point. Or, you can move one stone a total of 10 points to an open point, but only if the intermediate point (either 6 or 4 points from the starting point) is also open.

When both dice cannot be used:
You must always use both numbers of a roll (or the combined four numbers of a double) if possible. When only a single number can be played, you must play the higher number. When neither number can be used, you lose your turn. For example, if you roll a 6 and a 5, you are able to move either 6 or 5 points but not both, because your opponent's stones are blocking you. You must move 6 points because it's the larger of the two numbers.

Moving Your Stones

To move a stone, click it (it will be highlighted in Red), now click on the point where you would like to move it, and then click again to place the stone. You will hear an alert sound and see a message on the bottom of the game board if the move is not legal.

Blots

A point occupied by a single stone is called a blot (also called an open point). If your opponent lands on your blot, the blot is hit and your stone (the original one) is placed on the bar.

Hitting

When you land on a point that is occupied by your opponent's single stone (called a blot), that is called a hit. A stone that has been hit is placed on the center bar until your opponent rolls the dice and is able to move that stone back onto the board.

Open and closed points:
You can move a stone across points regardless of the number of the opposing player's stones on each point. However, your stone can only land on a point occupied by any number of your own stones, or a point that is occupied by one or none of your opponent's stones (called an open point). A point with two or more of an opponent's stones is a closed point and cannot be landed on.

Bearing Off

Bearing off means removing a stone from the board. You win by bearing off all of your stones. When you have all fifteen of your stones in your home table you can begin bearing off. You bear off by moving a stone from a point whose number corresponds to either die. For example, rolling a 5 and a 3 permits you to bear off a stone from your 5 point and from your 3 point.

Alternative to bearing off:
Instead of bearing off, you can also move your stones within your home table. For example, if you rolled a 6 and a 4, with two stones on your 6-point and one on your 4 point, you can bear off a stone from the 6 point, and then move a stone from the 6 point to the 2 point.

Note:
If you begin to bear off and are then hit, you must enter that stone and move it around to your home table before you can resume bearing off.

When bearing off, if you have no stone on the highest point indicated by the numbers on the dice, you must bear off one stone from the next highest occupied point. For example, if you roll a 6 and a 3 and you have no stones on the 6 point, you must bear off one stone from the 5 point or the 4 point, if occupied. You can then move one stone from the 3 point.

Entering

If you have a stone on the bar, you cannot move any other stone on the board until you are able to move the stone from the bar (called entering). A stone is entered by moving it to an open point in your opponent's home table corresponding to one of the numbers on the rolled dice. For example, if you have a stone on the bar and you roll a 5 and a 3, you can enter a stone from the bar onto either your opponent's 5-point or 3-point, provided they are open points. If neither point is open, you lose your turn. If either point is a blot, the stone you enter can hit your opponent's blot and send it to the bar.

Shutout:
When attempting to enter a stone from the bar, if all six points on your opponent's home table are closed (called a shutout), you cannot move any stones until your opponent moves one or more stones and opens a point.

Doubling

Doubling button:
A regular game has a value of 1 point. When you click the Doubling button, the value of the game doubles and your opponent is asked to accept the double or resign from the game. If your opponent accepts the double, the game value doubles to 2 points. If you or your opponent doubles again, the value would double to 4, and so on. The Doubling cube changes to indicate this increased value.

Doubling cube:
The Doubling cube is a cube with a number on each side indicating the current value of the game: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 points.

Players must alternate turns when using the Doubling button. When you voluntarily double and your opponent accepts, your opponent is then free to double again (re-double). Once your opponent has used the Doubling button to re-double and you have accepted, the right to use the Doubling button returns to you. This can continue throughout the game until the players stop or until they reach an agreed upon limit (usually 16 or 32 points). There is no formal limit to doubling, although many players agree to a maximum limit before a game begins.

Other ways to win

Gammon

If you are the winner and you bear off all your stones before your opponent has borne off any, the game is called 'gammon' and you receive double the game score so a four point game will earn you eight points.

Backgammon

If you are the winner and you manage to bear off all your stones before your opponent has borne off any AND your if opponent has a stone remaining on the bar or in your home table, the game is called backgammon and you receive triple the game score. A two point game will earn you six points.

TECH NOTES

Backgammon Rankings

The winner of a Ranked Backgammon game will see a "Sending Stats!" message in their chat window at game end. This message confirms that the game scores have been submitted.

Text Chat:

To text chat, simply begin typing. You will see your message in the chat window. You must press 'Enter' to send your message.

Voice Chat:

In order to Voice Chat, you're required to have a PC compatible microphone plugged into your computer. To talk, click and hold the "TALK" button in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Without shouting, be sure to speak clearly into your microphone.

The following commands can be entered into the text chat window:

• /action - to include your name in a chat message
• /numbers - toggles showing numbers of the points
• /flip - flip board
• /who - To see a list players and spectators currently in the game room
• /credits - shows credits
• /honk, /scream, /laugh, /nice, /wee, /cackle, and /moo to make comical sounds to amuse and startle others in the room!

Launching the game with more than 2 players:
You can launch the game with as many as 32 players. The moderator will get a spot in the game as will one of the other players. The others will be spectators. The decision of which player is to be selected to play is random.

You can hit F9 to enlarge the Chat window. Hitting F9 again will return it to normal size.

If a player drops out a game in progress, a spectator can take over the position.

OFFICIAL LEAGUES

Think You're Good?

Then join the official Backgammon league of Mplayer run by Case's Ladder. You compete against the best players in the game. Try to climb the "ladder" to the number one spot or compete in daily tournaments. Our leagues are simple to learn and fun to play in. Simply sign up on Case's Ladder, play your games on Mplayer and then report your matches to Case's Ladder.

COMMUNITY LEAGUES

Join CrimsonWings on Mplayer for daily tournament FUN! Their trained staff will be happy to answer your tournament questions. Just look for the MTA, MHT, MST, MBGT, MLST, MSP or CrimsonWings prefixes on Mplayer screen names. Click here for leaderboard and tournament information