Bearing off in backgammon: the rules, with examples

Short answer: you can start bearing off (removing checkers from the board) only when all 15 of your checkers are in your home board. Each die lets you remove a checker from the point with that number. If that point is empty, you must move a checker from a higher point; only if there are no checkers on higher points do you remove a checker from your highest occupied point. The first player to bear off all 15 checkers wins.

When you can start bearing off

Your home board is the last six points on your route, numbered 1 to 6, with point 1 closest to where checkers are borne off. You may bear off only when all 15 of your checkers are on those six points. If even one checker is outside the home board, or on the bar, bearing off is not allowed yet.

How each die is used

Situation for the number rolled	What you do
You have a checker on that point	Bear off a checker from that point, or make another legal move inside your home board.
That point is empty, but you have checkers on higher points	You must move a checker from a higher point by that number. You cannot bear off with this die.
That point is empty and no checker is on a higher point	Bear off a checker from your highest occupied point.

The usual rules for the dice still apply: if both dice can be played, you must play both; if only one can be played and either could be, you must play the higher one; a double gives you four moves of that number.

Examples

Checkers on points 6, 5 and 4. You roll 6-2.
Use the 6 to bear off the checker on point 6. Point 2 is empty and you still have checkers on higher points, so the 2 must be played as a move: for example 5 to 3, or 4 to 2.

Checkers on points 3 and 2. You roll 6-5.
You have nothing on 6 or 5 and nothing higher, so each die bears off a checker from your highest occupied point: the 6 removes the checker on 3, then the 5 removes the checker on 2.

Checkers on points 6 and 2. You roll 4-1.
Point 4 is empty, but there is a checker on 6, which is higher. So the 4 cannot bear off the checker on 2: it must be played by a checker on a higher point, for example 6 to 2, followed by 2 to 1 with the 1. (Playing the 1 first, 6 to 5, and then 5 to 1 with the 4 is also legal.)

If one of your checkers is hit

Bearing off pauses. The hit checker goes to the bar and must re-enter in your opponent's home board, and it has to travel back to your home board before you can bear off again.

How the game ends: single game, gammon and backgammon

Result	When it happens	Value
Single game	Your opponent has borne off at least one checker.	1×
Gammon	Your opponent has borne off no checkers.	2×
Backgammon	Your opponent has borne off no checkers and still has a checker on the bar or in your home board.	3×

The value is multiplied by the doubling cube.

Bearing off in Backgammon Clubs

Every move is checked against these rules, so a bear-off that isn't allowed is not accepted.
Auto-race: once no more contact is possible between the two sides, you can switch on auto-race and the game plays out the remaining moves for you. It's off at the start of every match.
Bear Off mode: where available, this quick-match mode starts as a pure race with all checkers already in the home boards, so it's a fast way to practise.
Hints: a hint shows the best move the game can find for your roll. New players start with 20, and the first daily gift each day adds 2 more.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bear off if one checker is still outside my home board?

No. All 15 checkers must be in your home board first.

Can I use a higher number to bear off a checker from a lower point?

Only when you have no checker on the point you rolled or on any higher point. Then you bear off from your highest occupied point.

Do I have to use both dice during the bear-off?

Yes, if both can be played legally. If only one can be played, you must play the higher one when either would be possible.

Last reviewed: 27 October 2026. Published by Whatwapp, the developer of Backgammon Clubs.