How to Set Up a Backgammon Board
To set up backgammon, each player places their 15 checkers like this, counting points from their own side: 2 on the 24-point, 5 on the 13-point, 3 on the 8-point and 5 on the 6-point. Your opponent's checkers mirror yours. Your home board (points 1 to 6) is on your right if you move counter-clockwise, and the two sets of checkers move in opposite directions.
The starting position at a glance
| Point (from your side) | Your checkers | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 2 | Back checkers (runners), deep in your opponent's home board |
| 13 | 5 | The midpoint, in your opponent's outer board |
| 8 | 3 | In your outer board, next to the bar |
| 6 | 5 | In your home board |
Setting up, step by step
- Sit facing each other with the board between you. Decide which way you'll move: the usual setup has your home board on your right.
- Number the points in your head from 1 (your right-hand corner, nearest you) to 24 (your right-hand corner, farthest away), going round the board.
- Place 5 checkers on your 6-point, the sixth point from your corner, next to the bar.
- Place 3 checkers on your 8-point, just across the bar.
- Place 5 checkers on your 13-point, the far end of the board on your left.
- Place 2 checkers on your 24-point, the far corner on your right.
- Your opponent does the same from their side. Check that each of your stacks sits directly opposite one of theirs.
A trick to remember it: 2-5-3-5
Read the stacks from the far corner back to your home: 2, 5, 3, 5 on points 24, 13, 8, 6. Another way to picture it: the half of the board nearest you holds 8 of your checkers (5 and 3, either side of the bar), and the far half holds 7 (5 and 2). Most players remember it after one or two set-ups.
Quick check: on a correct board, every one of your stacks is directly across from one of your opponent's, and both 5-stacks of each player are on different sides of the board.
Which way do the checkers move?
You move your checkers from your 24-point down to your 1-point, round the board in a horseshoe, and then bear them off. Your opponent moves the opposite way. Your home board can be on your right or your left, as long as the two players are mirror images; on GameLake your home board is always bottom right.
Common setup mistakes
- Swapping the 3 and the 5 near your home: it's 5 on the 6-point and 3 on the 8-point.
- Putting both players' 5-stacks on the same point: stacks face each other across the board, they never share a point.
- Wrong direction: if your 2 back checkers are in *your* home board, the board is set up for the other direction.
On Backgammon at GameLake the board sets itself up, so you can start playing straight away. For the rules, read how to play backgammon.
Frequently asked questions
How many checkers go on each point in backgammon?
2 on the 24-point, 5 on the 13-point, 3 on the 8-point and 5 on the 6-point, counted from your own side: 15 in all.
Where does the home board go in backgammon?
Usually on your right, nearest you. It can be on the left if both players mirror it; what matters is that you move toward it.
Do both players set up the same way?
Yes, each from their own side, so the two positions are mirror images and every stack faces one of the opponent's.
How do you remember the backgammon setup?
2-5-3-5 on points 24, 13, 8 and 6, reading from the far corner back toward your home board.