Backgammon Keyboard Controls
On a computer you don't need the mouse at all. NARDEON can be played entirely from the keyboard — rolling, choosing checkers, moving, undoing and confirming — in backgammon and long nardy, against the computer or in online multiplayer.
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The keys
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Space | Roll the dice; after your move — Done |
| ← → | Pick a checker (only ones that can move) |
| ↑ ↓ | Choose where the picked checker goes |
| Enter | Move to the chosen point; with nothing chosen it rolls or confirms, like Space |
| Backspace or Ctrl/Cmd + Z | Undo step |
| Esc | Drop the picked checker; closes an open window first |
A turn, key by key
- It's your turn: press Space to roll.
- Press → — the first checker that can move is picked, and its possible targets light up.
- Press ↓ or ↑ to step through the targets. A target can be the total of both dice if the point in between is open.
- Press Enter to move. Repeat for the other die.
- Changed your mind? Backspace takes back the last step.
- Happy with the move? Space confirms it and passes the turn.
For screen readers, the game also describes each step in words — "Your turn: roll the dice — Space", "Pick a checker: left and right arrows", "Enter — move" — and names the point a picked checker would go to.
The order the arrows follow
The arrows follow the direction of play, so you always know where the next press will land:
- → starts with the checker farthest from home and moves toward your home board; ← goes the other way. In backgammon a checker on the bar comes first, since it has to enter before anything else moves.
- ↓ starts with the nearest target and steps farther along the path; ↑ goes back. Bearing off, if it's allowed, is the last target in the list.
- Both lists wrap around: one more press past the end takes you back to the start.
Example: you roll 5-2. Press → and the rearmost movable checker is picked, with the 2-point move already highlighted. Press ↓ to switch to the 5, again for the 7 if the path is open, then Enter.
When the keys don't respond
- A window is open — settings, sign-in, your profile. Close it with Esc and the board keys work again.
- You're typing. In a text field the keys do their usual job: Backspace in the password box deletes a letter, it doesn't undo a step.
- It's not your turn. While your opponent or the computer is moving, there's nothing to pick.
Why play with the keyboard
- Speed. Once your fingers know the keys, a simple move takes a second or two — useful with the online clock of 12 free seconds per move.
- Comfort. Laptop without a mouse? Trackpad tired? Keys are easier.
- Accessibility. Players who find precise clicking hard can play every part of the game from the keyboard. The game's windows can also be used with Tab and Enter.
Combine with settings
A few settings make keyboard play even faster:
- Auto roll — the dice are rolled for you when it's your turn, so you go straight to picking checkers;
- Move without “Done” — the move ends right after the last checker, no Space needed;
- Point numbers — 1–24 on the board frame, so you can see exactly where a checker lands.
Keys in match replays
Online matches are recorded. In a replay, ← and → step back and forward one move, and Space plays or pauses the replay — a quick way to find the moment a game turned.
Where it works
Any computer with a browser — Windows, Mac or Linux — with nothing to install. See backgammon for PC and full screen for getting the biggest board. On phones and tablets you play by tapping or dragging checkers instead.
Play for freeNo sign-up, no download — right in your browser
FAQ
Can you play backgammon with just a keyboard?
Yes. Space rolls the dice and confirms your move, the left and right arrows pick a checker, the up and down arrows choose where it goes, Enter makes the move and Backspace undoes a step.
How do I undo a move with the keyboard?
Press Backspace, or Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on a Mac). You can undo step by step until you confirm the move.
Which checkers can I pick with the arrow keys?
Only checkers that have a legal move with your dice. The arrows cycle through them, so you never land on a checker that can't move.
Do the keyboard controls work in online games?
Yes — online with a random opponent, with a friend, against the computer and on one screen.
Where can I see the list of keys?
In Settings, at the bottom. The same list is on this page.
Updated: October 24, 2026