Backgammon

Each player starts with 15 checkers in a specific arrangement: 2 on the 24-point, 5 on the 13-point, 3 on the 8-point, and 5 on the 6-point. Players sit on opposite sides and move in opposite directions around the board.

The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins. A 'gammon' (double win) occurs if the opponent hasn't borne off any checkers. A 'backgammon' (triple win) occurs if the opponent still has checkers on the bar or in your home board.

Roll two dice at the start of each turn. Each die can be used to move one checker. Checkers always move forward toward your home board (the inner quadrant). You may move one checker for each die, or use both dice for one checker if the intermediate point is open.

Make points (two or more checkers) to block your opponent's movement. Building a 'prime' (six consecutive blocked points) traps enemy checkers behind it. Balance between aggressive blitzing (hitting) and building strong defensive positions.

Backgammon's ancestors date back 5,000 years to Mesopotamia. The modern game developed in the 1920s-1970s, with the doubling cube adding a gambling/strategic element.