I realize that a backgammon board can be a little intimidating to new players because it looks different and maybe even a bit complicated.  That couldn’t be farther from the truth though as the backgammon board set up is a fairly simple task.  If you’re approaching the backgammon board for the first time and are a little confused on how to proceed, here are a few tips.

First, look at the board as one continual board with nothing impeding your movement.  One of the most difficult things for new players concerning the backgammon board set up is that the board is divided into four sections.  People think this must mean something, but it doesn’t.  You move around the backgammon board in a horseshoe shape patter from one side of the board to the other and the only thing that slows you down is the dice and maybe your opponent.  The large triangles and also confuse players, but these are called point and are simply the spaces you checkers move around the board on.  The points are long because you can put many checkers on one point, but a point represents only one move each for each checker.

After the sections and the points the only other thing that normally confuses players about the backgammon board set up is how to start.  Well, you and your opponent simply place your checkers on opposing sections next to one another and by rolling the dice to determine who goes first.  Backgammon setup is really that easy and, now that you know, you can go out and enjoy playing.