Fast Backgammon: Quick Games Online

What changes in fast play

The rules don't change — backgammon or long nardy, hitting, the head, the block, the bear-off. Only the time does. With a clock you can't think forever over every move. It's a different skill: decisions come from habit and a few simple principles, not from checking every option.

The clock on NARDEON

As long as you move within 12 seconds, your reserve isn't touched. You can think longer about a hard move by using the reserve, but there's only one for the whole match. That keeps easy moves quick without turning hard positions into a lottery.

The fastest format

• Backgammon rather than long nardy. 167 pips at the start against 360 — roughly half as many rolls.
• A match to 1 point. One game and you have a result. With more time, there are matches to 3, 5 and 7.
• Online matchmaking. Opponents are matched by game and match length — choose backgammon, match to 1, and you'll meet someone who also wants it quick. See backgammon multiplayer.

How long games usually take is worked out in how long does backgammon take.

Settings for quick play

• Auto roll — the dice are rolled for you when it's your turn.
• Move without “Done” — the move ends right after your last checker, with no extra tap.
• One-tap moves — tapping a checker moves it by the higher die; for another move, drag it.
• Repeat with doubles — play the same two moves again with one button.
• Animations — switch off checker gliding and rolling dice if you want no pauses at all.

On a computer everything works from the keyboard: Space rolls the dice and confirms the move, the arrow keys pick a checker and a point, Enter moves and Backspace undoes a step — full list in keyboard controls.

How to play fast without blundering

• Learn the standard plays. Opening rolls in backgammon are almost always played the same way — see the opening moves chart.
• Keep a plan in mind. In long nardy: the block and getting off the head. In backgammon: your home board and the bar. A move that fits the plan is found faster.
• Don't spend the reserve on easy moves. Play the obvious move at once; save time for hard positions and the bear-off.
• Practice without a clock. Games against the computer have no clock: work a move out calmly there, then play it on autopilot online — play vs computer.

Fast games with a friend

Create a room, choose the game and match length, and send the link to a friend — they land straight at the board. The clock in a room is the same as in matchmaking. Details: play backgammon with friends.

Play for freeNo sign-up, no download — right in your browser

Updated: October 25, 2026