Backgammon is a two-player board game played with counters and dice on tables, which is part of the larger family of table games
. The game is played on a board consisting of twenty-four narrow triangles called points, which are grouped into four quadrants of six triangles each, separated by a ridge down the center of the board
. Each player has fifteen pieces, known as checkers, and the objective is to move them around the board and be the first to bear them off, i.e., remove them from the board
. The movement of the checkers is determined by the roll of two dice, and players must choose from numerous options for moving their pieces and anticipate possible counter-moves by their opponent
. The game combines elements of strategy and luck, as the dice determine the outcome of a single game, but the better player will accumulate a better record over a series of games
. Backgammon has an optional doubling cube, which allows players to raise the stakes during the game. A player who feels they have a sufficient advantage may propose doubling the stakes, but the opponent may refuse, in which case they concede the game and pay one point
. The game has a long history, with precursors dating back as early as 3000 years ago
. It became highly popular worldwide in the late 20th century, and high- profile tournaments for experienced players offer lucrative prizes
