Rules on How to Move Backgammon Pieces
Backgammon pieces or checkers are moved over pips using numbers conforming to dice throws. And there are four rules on checker movements that are always followed in backgammon. These four rules on how to move backgammon pieces are:
Rule no. 1: Players may only move their checkers on open points.
A point is said to be "open" when it's not occupied by two or more enemy backgammon pieces. Thus, open points include points on the board that has your pieces on it, one opposing piece, and no checkers at all.
Rule no. 2: Numbers rolled on each die represent individual pip moves.
A two-five roll, for example, constitute two separate moves. These are advancing two pips and advancing five pips. There are two ways on how one can use that roll. You can either move one checker over two pips then five pips (or five pips then two pips) or move one checker over two pips and another checker over five pips.
Rule no. 3: When a player rolls a double, the numbers on each die is played twice.
A double or doubles is a roll where the same number appears on each die. When a player rolls five-five, that player will get to move five pips four times. There are four combinations that are made possible by rolling doubles. These are moving one checker over five pips four times or moving two pieces over five pips twice or one checker over five pips thrice then another piece over five pips once or moving four different backgammon pieces over five pips each.
Rule no. 4: Both numbers on a roll (or in case of doubles, all four numbers) must be played as long as they represent legal moves on the board.
A player may not choose to use one number only when that renders using the other number illegal. As long as legal moves are possible for both, they must be taken. So when only one number at the cast of the dice represents a legal play, it should be used. And when you roll numbers that can't be played, you'll lose a turn.
The four rules on how to move backgammon pieces determine how to play rolls and what constitute legal pip moves across the board. The first rule defines a legal move where backgammon pieces may only land on open points. The second and third rules specify that each number on the face of a die represents separate moves and double rolls require each number to be played twice. And the fourth and final rule state that as long as moves represented by the dice roll are legal, they must be used.