Install first: windows_build.zip from Final-Release, extract, run build.exe. Rules talk is useless if the binary never opens. This primer covers desk habits for a local Unity backgammon window.
Board shape
Backgammon uses twenty-four points, a central bar, and trays for borne-off checkers. Each side starts with fifteen checkers. Dice decide legal distances; the opponent’s single checkers (blots) can be hit.
Hits and the bar
When you land on a blot, that checker goes to the bar. It must re-enter on the opponent’s home board before other moves for that colour. Confirm the Unity UI highlights after extract instead of inventing rules mid-match.
Bearing off
Once all fifteen checkers sit in your home board, you may bear off according to the dice. Race positions still matter; do not bear off while checkers remain outside home.
Doubling cube
The cube starts centered. A player may offer a double; the opponent accepts (cube ownership moves) or resigns the game. Match play multiplies stakes—confirm how this build shows the cube faces (2, 4, 8…).
What this guide is not
It is not a gnubg / Cute Gammon brand-first essay. It is not Microsoft documentation. It is not checkers, chess, or freecell rules. Adjacent games stay on their own hosts so this backgammon phrase remains clear.
Soft parks reminder
winget and Homebrew ids for this OSS stay parked. Prefer Final-Release zips. macOS uses macos_build.zip → mac_build/build.app; Linux uses linux_build.zip → linux_build/build.x86_64.
Practice loop
Play one calm game focusing on hits and re-entry. Play a second game noticing the cube. Stop installing portal mirrors the same afternoon.
Club teaching tip
New players often miss the bar re-entry rule. Pause and point at the bar instead of calling it cheating. House rules that change cube etiquette should be written on the wall so arguments end quickly.
Related
Home: /. Windows install: /install-backgammon-windows. Zip extract: /backgammon-zip-extract. First hour: /installed.
Frequently asked questions
Do hits send a checker to the bar?
In standard backgammon a hit blot goes to the bar and must re-enter before other moves. Confirm behaviour in a local build.exe session after extract before you teach house rules. Keep windows_build.zip from GitHub Releases as the only Windows download door for this client path.
How does the doubling cube work here?
The doubling cube raises match stakes when a player offers and the opponent accepts. Confirm the on-screen cube in this Unity build after you extract the Final-Release zip. Keep windows_build.zip from GitHub Releases as the only Windows download door for this client path.
Is this the same as gnubg?
No. Phrase and rules focus stay on backgammon for this GPL-2.0 Unity client. gnubg is a different analysis product and must never be brand-first on this guide. Keep windows_build.zip from GitHub Releases as the only Windows download door for this client path.
Can I play alone or with a friend?
This Unity build is aimed at local desk play after you extract the zip. There is no account required for the Final-Release path. Keep windows_build.zip from GitHub Releases as the only Windows download door for this client path.