Backgammon Quiz
How well do you really know the rules? This backgammon quiz has 15 questions, from easy to tricky. Think of your answer, then open the box to check — every answer comes with a one-line explanation.
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Setup and moving
1. How many checkers does each player have?
15. 30 on the board in total.
2. In the starting position, how many of your checkers are on your 6-point?
5. The full setup is 2 on 24, 5 on 13, 3 on 8, 5 on 6. See setup.
3. Can the opening move be a double?
No. Each player rolls one die and the higher number plays both dice as the first move. If the dice match, both roll again.
4. You roll 4-4. How many pips can you move in total?
16. Doubles are played four times: four moves of 4. More on doubles.
5. Can you land on a point with exactly one opposing checker?
Yes — and you hit it. Two or more opposing checkers close the point.
6. You can play either die but not both. Which must you play?
The higher one. If only one of them can be played at all, you play that one.
The bar
7. You have a checker on the bar. Can you move another checker first?
No. Everything on the bar must enter before any other move. See bar rules.
8. Where does a checker from the bar enter?
In your opponent's home board, on the point matching the die: a 1 on their 1-point, a 6 on their 6-point.
9. Your opponent has closed four points in their home board. What's your chance of entering one checker?
20 in 36, about 56%. You miss only when both dice show closed points: 4 × 4 = 16 rolls.
Bearing off
10. When can you start bearing off?
When all 15 of your checkers are in your home board. Not one may be outside it or on the bar.
11. Your checkers are only on your 3- and 2-points. You roll 6-5. What happens?
Two checkers come off. Each die bears off from your highest occupied point: the 3-point, and then the 3-point again — or the 2-point if the 3-point is already empty.
12. You have checkers on your 6- and 2-points and roll a 4. Can you bear off?
No. There's a checker on a higher point, so the 4 has to be played inside the home board — for example 6 to 2. More: bearing off.
Scoring and odds
13. You bear off your last checker; your opponent has borne off none. How many points?
2, a gammon — or 3, a backgammon, if they still have a checker on the bar or in your home board. See gammon and backgammon.
14. How many of the 36 rolls hit a blot 6 points away, with nothing in the way?
17. Eleven rolls contain a 6, plus 5-1, 1-5, 4-2, 2-4, 3-3 and 2-2. The full table: luck or skill.
15. What is the total pip count of each player at the start?
167. 2×24 + 5×13 + 3×8 + 5×6 = 48 + 65 + 24 + 30.
How did you do?
- 13–15: You know the rules cold — time to work on strategy.
- 9–12: Solid. Skim the one-page rules for the ones you missed.
- 0–8: Start with how to play backgammon and a few games against the computer.
The quickest way to lock the rules in is to play: the game only lets you make legal moves.
Play for freeNo sign-up, no download — right in your browser
FAQ
Which backgammon rule do players get wrong most often?
Bearing off from an empty point. If the die is higher than your highest checker, you bear off from the highest point; if not, you must move a checker inside your home board.
Is this quiz based on official rules?
It follows the standard backgammon rules used in clubs and online — the same rules the game on NARDEON enforces. The doubling cube questions aren't included, since NARDEON plays without it.
Where can I practice after the quiz?
Play the computer: it only offers legal moves, so you'll learn the rules by doing. Start on Beginner.
Is there a long nardy quiz?
Not yet. The long nardy rules page covers everything you'd be asked: the head, the six-point block and bearing off.
Updated: October 24, 2026