In the Backgammon game, the checkers are laid out on the board as you see on the next two pictures. These pictures depict the left and right configuration of the backgammon game, and they are both valid. Still, you may encounter players who are familiar with only configuration. The good thing is that the iTavli game supports both configurations, and you pick it, when you roll the dice to determine who starts first.
One rule that applies in both configurations is that the point that has the two checkers is not in front of you. Also, the quarter that that point belongs to, is the Base Area. Opposite to that quarter is the Inner Table. Therefore, in the left configuration, you move your checkers clockwise, and your opponent’s checkers move counter-clockwise. Reversely, in the right configuration, you move counter-clockwise, and your opponent moves clockwise.
Movement of the checkers
You roll the dice to determine how many spaces one or more checkers will move. In addition to the most important rule, backgammon has these rules:
- You may hit your opponent’s single checker. If you do hit it, that checker is removed from the game and is placed at the center of the board.
- If a checker is removed from the game, you can NOT move the other checkers, until that checker enters the game.
- A removed checker enters the game from the base area. When a removed checker enters the game is allowed to hit your opponent’s single checker which lies in your base area.