Backgammon Checker Moves on Paper

Backgammon books use both illustrations and numbers to represent checker moves on paper. Almost everyone can read illustrations but what's with the numbers? Well, backgammon checker moves on paper is in the form of what's called the 24-point numbering system. And it's not just limited in instructional books because it is, basically, how players transcribe their game as well.

There are 24 points on a game board and players use them as reference for documenting the rolls that they play. Since a player only marks the move that they're making and not their opponent's, actions are written from the viewpoint of the respective player. Hence, your 24-point is - looking the other way around - your opponent's ace- or one-point.

Backgammon checker moves in game transcripts and backgammon books are written with a slash between the number from where a checker started and where it landed. If you move half a roll with one checker and the other half with another piece, these two separate moves will be separated by a comma.

Let's take a checker play where you move an eight-point piece to the four-point and a six-point checker down to the four-point with a four-two roll. It will be written down like so: 8/4, 6/4.

But if you move just one checker using a complete roll, you don't have to document the separate moves. Take a lover's leap with a six-five roll, for instance. These backgammon checker moves on paper would show as: 24/13.

When you hit a blot, you would put an asterisk (*) after the numbered point where the hit was made. And if you re-enter from the bar, you'd just write the word "bar" before the slash and then, the landing point.

In case you hit a blot with a half roll when you move a piece with a full roll, it would look like "24/22*/16". That is, if you hit a blot on your 22-point when you move your 24-point piece to the 16-point with a 6-2 roll, your backgammon checker moves would be written like that.

The 24-point numbering system is used to document backgammon checker moves on paper. Beginning points and landing points are separated by a slash from the viewpoint of the respective player. Movements are always from higher to lower points and a hit is signified with an asterisk. Re-entry from the bar is denoted by "bar/" followed by the entry point number. These are basic notes on how checker plays are broken down, roll-by-roll, as we see them on backgammon books and game transcripts.