Play Backgammon Online with Friends
Your friend is far away but you feel like a game? Create a room, send the link, and a minute later you're at the same board. Nothing to install for either of you.
Play for freeNo sign-up, no download — right in your browser
How to invite a friend
- Press Play and choose to play with a friend.
- Pick the game — backgammon or long nardy — and the match length.
- Copy the room link and send it to your friend in any messenger.
- Your friend opens the link, enters a name — and the game begins.
Why it's easy
- Nothing to install. Not for you, not for your friend: it all runs in the browser.
- Fair for both of you. The server rolls the dice, not one player's device. After the match, every roll can be verified.
- A dropped connection doesn't end the game. There's a minute to reconnect (on your turn the move clock keeps running), and play picks up from the same move.
- One-tap rematch. Play as long a series as you like.
- Match replays. Disputed moment? Step through the game move by move.
Which game to choose
Want fast games with hitting and gammons? Go for backgammon. Grew up playing nardy with family and neighbors? You'll feel at home with long nardy. Not sure about the rules? Have a look at the beginner's guide.
Joining with a code instead of a link
A link is the easiest way in, but sometimes you're talking on the phone or the link won't paste. Every room also has a five-character code. Your friend opens nardeon.com, chooses With a friend, types the code into Got a code from a friend? and presses Join. The match starts the moment they're in.
Friend room, one screen or a random opponent?
| Friend by link | Two players, one screen | Random opponent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices | Two, any mix | One, shared | Two |
| Clock | Yes | No | Yes |
| Who rolls the dice | The server, verifiable | Your browser | The server, verifiable |
| Rated | No | No | Yes, if both have accounts |
At the table
- Reactions. Say Hi, Good game, Nice move or Lucky with a tap, one every 3 seconds. Rather play in silence? Zen in the settings hides your opponent's reactions.
- The usual online clock. 12 free seconds per move, then a 2-minute time bank for the whole match; a single move can't take longer than 60 seconds. Run out of time and the match is lost, so keep an eye on it even among friends.
- No rating at stake. Matches in a private room are unrated, so an evening of rematches won't move anyone's rating.
When the match is over
The result screen offers Rematch (your friend sees Accept rematch), New opponent if they have to go, and Watch the match to step through every move again. The replay has its own link, so you can send the decisive game to your friend afterwards.
Play for freeNo sign-up, no download — right in your browser
FAQ
Can I play backgammon online with a friend for free?
Yes, it's completely free. Create a room, send the link, and you're playing — there is nothing to pay for.
Does my friend need to sign up?
No. They open the link, type the name you'll see at the board, and sit straight down to play.
Can we play on our phones?
Yes. The link opens in any browser — phone, tablet or computer. You can even mix devices: you on a PC, your friend on a phone.
What if my friend's connection drops?
They have a minute to come back (if it's their turn, their move clock keeps running too): reopening the game picks the match up from the same move.
Can we play a rematch?
Yes. After the match press Rematch — if your friend accepts, a new match starts with the same settings.
Can we play for something?
NARDEON has no playing for stakes: coins are never put on a match. Play for the score instead — a match to 1, 3, 5 or 7 points — and if you both have accounts, the match goes into your history with a replay to rewatch.
Updated: October 24, 2026