Introduction to the backgammon set up

The backgammon board consists of four quarters, each with six fingers. It is important to think in these terms for the purposes of backgammon set up. The right hand quarter closest to you is your ‘home’.

Now you know where your ‘home’ is the rest is easy. A golden rule in backgammon set up is that everything is mirrored. This means that if you’re not sure of something, just wait for your opponent to set up his backgammon pieces and then mirror them with your own. Anther useful tip about backgammon set up is that it is stringent. This means that you won’t find any variations – once you’ve learnt how to set up a backgammon board you know it.

The placing of the backgammon pieces is simple. In your home, each of the fingers are numbered 1-6 from right to left. When you want to begin your backgammon set up, place 2 of your pieces on the number 1 finger of your home (the furthest right finger). On the quarter next to your home, place 5 backgammon pieces on the furthest left hand finger. Opposite this, in the quarter next to your opponent’s ‘home’, place 3 of your pieces on the fifth finger from your left. Finally, place your remaining 5 backgammon pieces on the furthest left finger of your opponent’s home.

Have a quick count; make sure you have 15 pieces; check your opponent’s pieces mirror yours; and voila, you’ve set up a backgammon board.