Hello everyone,

I play backgammon as an amateur and for fun only (except when it gets serious and someone rolls 4 doubles in a row....) and my backgammon partner and I can't agree on something.

We need help.

The situation is as follow :
- Someone has all their checkers in the inner table, except for 1. That lone checker is right next to the inner table (a roll of 1 would get it in the inner table).
- In the inner table, there are no checkers on the 6th point.
- The person rolls, a 6 and a 3.

The question is : can they use the 3 to get their checker in the inner table, and then use the 6 to remove the checker from the 5th point, as there was none on the 6th? Or they technically have to move the 6 first as there is no checker on the 6th point?

I made a very simple schematisation of the situation HERE : https://imgur.com/dI3guqN

We both thank you all in advance for your knowledge!

Best,


MCC

In this situation, both moves you have illustrated are legal.

The best way to understand the rules in this situation is that you must use both numbers if possible. Use means any legal use of that number. You can use a number to bear off a checker on a lower point if you have no checkers on or above the number.

Thank you so much for you reply!
Apparently I am in the wrong and it still doesn"t make sense to me that you can do that but if that is what the rules say, that's how we are going to play!
At least that will settle the matter and prevent any complications that could have risen from this disagreement between backgammon partner and I

Again thank you for your reply kind Sir (or Ma'am)!

Best,

MCC