How to Set Up the Backgammon Game Board

Setting up the backgammon board is fairly quick and easy. Just make sure you've got all your equipment and you're ready to start. Now, there are two ways to set up the backgammon game board. Whichever way you chose only depends on the direction of where you prefer the pieces to move and bear off. It's because either way, one is only the reverse of the other.

In the traditional backgammon game, all chips are placed on specific points on the backgammon game board. If you and your opponent prefer to bear off to the right (counterclockwise), then it only follows that each of your ace-points (or one-point) is on each of your lower right quadrant. But if you prefer to bear off to the left (clockwise), then each of your ace-points is the first point on your respective lower left quadrant.

When you've decided where your ace-points will be, you'll then proceed to position your 15 pieces or chips on the backgammon game board. Lay two pieces on your 24-point (your opponent's ace-point), five pieces on your 13-point, three pieces on your eight-point, and five pieces on your six-point. Also, your opponent's checkers will be positioned the same way in reference to their ace-point.

After positioning the checkers on the backgammon game board, you'll ready your other accessories before the game begins. Place the doubling cube facing 64 on the center bar. This is the indicator that the current game stakes are at one and that the doubling cube is in neutral position.

The last two accessories are dice and dice cups. These are initially placed off the backgammon game board. Preferably, each player's dice and dice cup are on the side of the board closest to them for easy access and in clear view of their opponent.

And that's how easy it is to set up a backgammon game board! All you have to decide is whether you and your opponent prefer to move pieces clockwise or counterclockwise to determine each of your ace-points. From there, lay checker pieces on each predetermined point on the board - two on the 24-point, five on the 13-point, three on the eight-point and five on the six-point. The doubling cube is placed on the bar and is turned to 64 in starting position. And lastly, dice and dice cups are placed off the board until you and your opponent are comfortable and ready to get the game on.