🎯 The Ultimate Visual Guide: Picture of Backgammon Board Set Up

Step-by-Step Board Setup Guide

The traditional backgammon board consists of 24 narrow triangles called points, grouped into four quadrants of six points each. These quadrants are:

• Home Board (Inner Board): The quadrant where you bear off your checkers
• Outer Board: The quadrant adjacent to your home board
• Opponent's Outer Board
• Opponent's Home Board

Initial Checker Placement

Each player starts with 15 checkers of their own color. The standard setup is:

For White/Player 1:

• 2 checkers on point 24 (your 1-point in opponent's home board)
• 5 checkers on point 13 (your 12-point)
• 3 checkers on point 8 (your 7-point)
• 5 checkers on point 6 (your 19-point)

For Black/Player 2:

• Mirror image of white's setup
• 2 checkers on point 1 (opponent's 1-point)
• 5 checkers on point 12 (opponent's 12-point)
• 3 checkers on point 17 (opponent's 7-point)
• 5 checkers on point 19 (opponent's 19-point)

This symmetrical setup creates the foundation for thousands of possible game variations and strategic approaches.

Official Setup Rules & Tournament Standards

According to the World Backgammon Federation (WBF) and USBGF regulations, the board must meet specific criteria:

Board Specifications

Tournament boards measure approximately 16-20 inches in width when folded. Points alternate in color (typically dark and light) and should be clearly distinguishable. The bar (middle divider) must be wide enough to hold several checkers without crowding.

Checker Standards

Checkers should be 1.25 to 1.5 inches in diameter and approximately 0.375 inches thick. Tournament sets use distinct colors—usually white/off-white and black/brown—with sufficient contrast for players with color vision deficiencies.

The doubling cube, while not part of the initial setup, should be placed on the bar or to the side with the 64-face visible, indicating it's available for use.

Strategic Implications of Proper Setup

Many beginners underestimate how the initial setup influences the entire game. The symmetrical distribution creates immediate tension points:

Key Battleground Points

Points 5 and 6 in your home board are crucial for establishing blocking positions. Points 7 and 8 serve as launching pads for builders—checkers positioned to make advanced points later.

The midpoint (point 13 for you, point 12 for opponent) holds five checkers initially. This creates a powerful anchor that controls the center of the board and provides multiple movement options.

Common Setup Errors to Avoid

1. Reversed board orientation - Placing the home board on the wrong side
2. Incorrect checker counts - Miscounting the 15-checker total
3. Point numbering confusion - Starting from the wrong direction
4. Doubling cube placement - Forgetting to include it in the setup area

Historical Evolution of Backgammon Setup

The modern setup standardized in the 1920s, but ancient versions had different configurations. The Roman game "Tabula" used 15 pieces per side but started all on the first point...

Download High-Resolution Setup Pictures

Get our exclusive high-resolution setup diagrams for printing, teaching, or personal reference:

• Standard Tournament Setup (PDF) - 300 DPI printable diagram
• Animated Setup Guide (GIF) - Step-by-step animation
• Mobile Wallpaper Pack - Setup diagrams for phones

All downloads are free for personal and educational use.