How to Setup a Backgammon Board: Official Tournament Rules (2026)

Professional backgammon set black field with yellow and green points

Before you can master the strategy, you need to master the setup. Whether you are playing on a vintage board or a modern Baco Tournament Set, the rules are the same.

The Starting Position (Step-by-Step)

  1. Point 24: Place 2 checkers of your color on the opponent's 1-point (furthest away from you).

  2. Point 13: Place 5 checkers on the mid-point (far left for you).

  3. Point 8: Place 3 checkers on your 8-point.

  4. Point 6: Place 5 checkers on your 6-point.

(Pro Tip: Make sure your board is oriented correctly. The home board should be on the side where you bear off.)

Why Board Size Matters

In official tournaments (like the California State Championship sponsored by Baco), boards are typically 21 inches. This size allows enough space for "checker management" without crowding. Small boards often lead to messy games where dice hit checkers.

Q&A: Setup Rules

Q: What is the official size of a tournament backgammon board?

A: Official tournament boards, like those from Baco, usually measure approximately 21 inches (length) to accommodate standard 44mm checkers.

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