The world's oldest board game — play against AI
Backgammon is over 5,000 years old
Backgammon is the oldest known board game in history, with origins dating back over 5,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia. It is a two-player game where each side has 15 checkers that must be moved across 24 triangular points according to dice rolls. The objective is to be the first to move all your checkers into your home board and then bear them off. This free online version lets you play against AI at three difficulty levels, right in your browser with no downloads or signups.
You play as White (moving from point 24 toward point 1). Roll the dice by clicking the Roll button, then click a checker to select it and click a valid destination to move it. Each die value is a separate move — you can use both on the same checker or split them. Landing on a point occupied by a single opponent checker (a blot) sends it to the bar. Barred checkers must re-enter the board before any other moves. Once all your checkers reach your home board (points 1-6), you can bear them off to win.
Each player starts with 15 checkers arranged in a specific pattern. Roll two dice and move your checkers forward by the numbers shown. You can split the dice values between two checkers or use both on one. Landing on a point with a single opponent checker sends it to the bar. Barred checkers must re-enter before making other moves. Once all 15 checkers reach your home board, bear them off. First to bear off all checkers wins.
The doubling cube is a die with faces showing 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64. Before rolling, a player can propose to double the stakes. The opponent must either accept (take) and play on at higher stakes, or decline (drop) and lose at the current stakes. It adds a layer of strategic bluffing and risk assessment to competitive play.
Backgammon is a beautiful blend of both. While dice rolls introduce randomness, expert players consistently outperform beginners over time. Key skills include knowing which points to prioritize, when to play defensively vs. aggressively, and how to manage pip count. Over thousands of years and millions of games, Backgammon has proven that strategy matters enormously.
If you enjoyed Backgammon, try these: Chess · Checkers · Othello
Last Updated: March 2026 · whatifs.fun — Free interactive games, experiments & simulations