Rolling Doubles in Backgammon and Nardy
Roll the same number on both dice and you get twice the moves. Here's exactly how doubles work in backgammon and in long nardy, including the cases people most often argue about.
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The basic rule: doubles are played four times
Normally each die is one move. When both dice show the same number — doubles — you play that number four times. A roll of 3-3 gives you four moves of 3, a roll of 6-6 four moves of 6. That's 24 pips in one turn, the most a single roll can give.
How to split the four moves
Each of the four moves is separate, so you can share them out however you like. With 4-4, for example:
- one checker moves 16 (four times 4);
- two checkers move 8 each;
- one checker moves 12 and another 4;
- four different checkers move 4 each.
When one checker makes several moves in a row, every point it stops on along the way has to be open. In backgammon a point with two or more opposing checkers is closed; in long nardy, a point with even one opposing checker.
When you can't play all four
You must play as many of the four moves as the position allows. If only two can be played — say the rest would land on closed points — you play two and lose the others. If none can be played, the turn passes to your opponent. On NARDEON the game works this out for you: it only offers moves that use the maximum possible number of dice.
Doubles and the opening roll
| Backgammon | Long nardy | |
|---|---|---|
| Who starts | Each rolls one die; the higher number starts | Each rolls one die; the higher number starts |
| Tie | Both roll again | Both roll again |
| First move | Played with those two dice | The starter rolls both dice again |
| Can the first move be a double? | No | Yes |
Doubles in long nardy and the head rule
In long nardy all 15 checkers start on one point, the head, and only one checker may leave the head per turn — doubles don't change that. Roll 5-5 in the middle of the game and you can move one checker off the head; the other moves have to be played by checkers that have already left it (including the one you just moved).
The exception is each player's first turn. With 6-6, 4-4 or 3-3 you may take two checkers off the head, because a single checker can't play the whole roll: your opponent's head is in the way. Even then 6-6 is an awkward first roll — after two checkers move 6 each, the next 6 for either of them would land on the opponent's head, so only two of the four sixes can be played.
Full details are in the long nardy rules.
Doubles in backgammon: the bar and bearing off
- On the bar. If you have a checker on the bar, it has to come in first. With doubles, once your checkers are back on the board, the moves left over can be played with any checker.
- Bearing off. With all your checkers home, a double can take up to four checkers off in one turn — a big swing at the end of a race.
The rest of the rules are on the backgammon rules page.
Doubles have names
In Russia, the Caucasus and Turkey players often call out rolls by names of Persian origin. The best-known doubles are du-shesh (6-6), dort-char (4-4), du-se (3-3) and dubara (2-2); the names for 5-5 and 1-1 vary from region to region. The famous shesh-besh isn't a double at all — it's 6-5. More in the glossary.
Doubles vs the doubling cube
In English, "double" also means offering to double the value of the game with a doubling cube. That's a different thing entirely. NARDEON doesn't use a cube: a game is worth 1 point, a gammon 2 and (in backgammon) a backgammon 3, and matches are played to 1, 3, 5 or 7 points.
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FAQ
What happens when you roll doubles in backgammon?
You play the number four times instead of twice. Roll 4-4 and you have four moves of 4, which you can share between your checkers however you like.
Do you have to play all four moves of a double?
You must play as many as you legally can. If only two or three of the four can be played, you play those and the rest are lost. If none can be played, you lose your turn.
Can you start a backgammon game with doubles?
No. The opening move uses the two single dice the players rolled to decide who goes first, and if they match, both roll again. In long nardy the first player rolls both dice again, so the first move can be a double.
Can you take two checkers off the head with doubles in long nardy?
Only on your first turn of the game, and only with 6-6, 4-4 or 3-3. Any other time — including other doubles — one checker leaves the head per turn.
Is "doubles" the same as doubling?
No. Doubles are a dice roll. Doubling is offering to raise the value of the game with a doubling cube, which NARDEON doesn't use: every game is worth 1, 2 or 3 points.
Updated: October 23, 2026