FAQ

Backgammon belongs to an ancient family of tables games, with roots including Mesopotamia. Similar boards do not establish one definite origin for the modern game.

Its modern form developed over time: doubles played twice, rules described by Edmond Hoyle in 1743, and the doubling cube introduced in the 1920s–1930s. International competition later helped standardise the rules.

• History of backgammon

Its etymology is uncertain. The FFBG describes several possibilities: Welsh words suggesting a small battle, older words meaning a backward game, or boards placed on the back of a chessboard. None is established as a definitive explanation.

Dice introduce chance, but every roll also creates tactical and strategic choices. Checker play and doubling-cube decisions influence the chances of winning.

A good decision can lose a game and a poor one can win. Over many games, probability and strategy matter, without guaranteeing a result or financial return.

The FFBG page quotes 18,528,584,051,601,162,496 possible positions for the 30 checkers across the 24 points, bar and bear-off. This illustrates the variety of the game; the total depends on counting conventions.

Two six-sided dice have 21 unordered combinations, not all equally likely: a double has one ordered outcome, while two different values have two.

Analysis, anticipation, visualisation and probability help players compare moves. Counting the race, evaluating risk and considering the match score are useful skills.

Studying openings, bear-off and match play complements practice. In competition, concentration, patience, composure and emotional control help maintain clear decisions despite the dice.

Combine study and practice through books, annotated matches, position exercises and discussions with experienced players. Authors mentioned by the FFBG include Paul Magriel, Bill Robertie, Kit Woolsey, Danny Kleinman and Antonio Ortega.

Record difficult decisions and review them after the game. Software can measure errors, but understanding the reason matters. Analyse afterwards, never as assistance during a human match.

• FFBG reading list
• Backgammon software

Result-based ratings change as matches are played. The FFBG describes a FIBS-derived formula considering match length, opponent strength and experience; this is not necessarily the formula used on this site.

Other approaches compare analysed match errors or survey experts, as with the Giants of Backgammon. Results, reputation and decision quality measure different aspects of strength. Numerical examples and lists on the source page are historical.

• FFBG live rankings
• Giants of Backgammon — link cited by FFBG

Yes. The FFBG reports organising an official French championship since 1997. Its competition pages and calendar provide edition details, entry conditions and announced dates.

• FFBG competitions
• FFBG calendar

Yes. The FFBG page describes the Monte Carlo world championship and a historical winners list, including France’s Didier Assaraf in 2017.

That page’s list ends in 2017 and is not a current winners list. For a future edition, check the organiser’s published information rather than relying on historical dates.

• World champions — link cited by FFBG

Programs such as XG and GNU Backgammon reach a very high level through position evaluation and simulation. Gerald Tesauro’s TD-Gammon was a milestone in neural-network learning applied to the game.

These tools help review checker play, bear-off and cube decisions after a match. Analysis depends on the engine and settings; it does not mean the game is completely solved. Older performance figures in the source are not a current comparison.

• Software presented by FFBG

These are physical dice manufactured to strict tolerances to reduce imbalance. The FFBG describes translucent dice with flat faces, painted pips and rounded edges that encourage rolling.

The aim is a frequency of one sixth per face over many rolls, not a regular short-term sequence. Equipment requirements depend on the competition rules.

Respect the rules and your opponent’s concentration. Avoid disparaging remarks, repeated complaints about dice and gloating when luck goes your way.

Greet your opponent, accept defeat with dignity and win modestly. Composure improves both the experience and the quality of your decisions.

Online play lets you encounter different playing styles without travelling, practise and enter different formats depending on the service.

Opponent availability, free access, tournaments and analysis tools vary by platform. On this site, game and club access remain subject to the applicable conditions and approvals.

A ranking helps track results and compare performance with other players. A larger sample generally makes a rating more representative, without removing fluctuations.

Each platform defines its formula and eligible games. Ratings from different services are not automatically comparable and never promise a win.

Online rolls depend on the generator and protocol used by the service. Repeated rolls or an unfavourable sequence alone do not prove bias; chance also produces such sequences.

The FFBG source describes general principles, not an audit of every site. Evaluate a service through its generation and verification mechanisms rather than a blanket claim that cheating is impossible.

Try to reconnect and return to your game promptly. Time limits, recovery and outcomes depend on the service and format; do not assume disconnecting pauses the clock.

The FFBG FAQ describes an older system with a two-minute reconnection period and equity-based settlement. This is not a universal rule or a promise of a refund or split stakes on this site.

Where a service provides match history or export, use it to review decisions. A compatible file can then be opened in analysis software.

The Windows folder mentioned by the FFBG relates to older installed software. It does not automatically apply to a website or mean games are saved on your device or exportable here.

Watching experienced players can help you learn: try to understand their decisions, then review positions after the match.

Spectator access depends on the service, invitations and table privacy rules. Watching does not automatically grant permission to record a match or advise players; avoid distracting them.

Greet your opponent and keep chat courteous. GL means good luck, GG good game, WP well played and TY thank you. Avoid insults, comments about luck and conversations that disrupt play.

Do not use outside assistance during a human match. Respect the result; abusive exchanges may lead to measures under the service’s rules.