Dutch Backgammon

Setup: Unlike regular backgammon, each player begins with fifteen checkers off the board. The players enter their checkers in the opponent's home board, and then bring them around the board.

Object: The object of the game is for the players to move all of their checkers around the board to their own home table and then bear them all off. The first player to do so wins the game.

To start: Each player rolls one die with the highest number going first. Unlike regular backgammon, that player then re-rolls to start his first turn.

Entering checkers: Players enter a checker by placing it on a point in the opponent's home board corresponding to a number rolled. Once the players have entered one or more checkers, they can use subsequent rolls to either move those checkers forward, enter more checkers, or both.

Movement: The roll of the dice shows how many pips the player is to move his checkers. The following rules apply:

Checkers may be moved only to an open point unoccupied by two or more opposing checkers.

The numbers on the two dice constitute separate moves.

Doubles are played twice.

Players must use both numbers of a roll if possible, or all four numbers in the case of doubles. If the player can play one number but not both, the player must play the higher one.