Backgammon is a two-player game where each player has fifteen checkers. The board consists of twenty-four narrow triangles called points, grouped into four quadrants. Players take turns rolling two dice and move their checkers accordingly. The movement direction is opposite for the two players. A player may move to an open point, hit an opponent's blot, and must bring all checkers into their home board before bearing them off. The first player to bear off all checkers wins. A doubling cube is often used to raise the stakes, adding a layer of psychological strategy.

Key strategies include building primes—consecutive points that trap enemy checkers—and mutually supporting checkers to avoid blots. Probability understanding helps players evaluate risks, such as leaving a blot when the opponent has a good chance to hit it. The doubling cube is a crucial strategic tool that can pressure opponents into resigning or force them into an uncomfortable doubling decision. Advanced players may use backgames, sacrificing a lead in order to create powerful blocking positions.