Game On! Join us For Backgammon Night
Enjoy Backgammon Night at Beaufort House Chelsea
Backgammon is a Beaufort favorite, blending luck and skill perfectly. There’s no better place to enjoy a round or two than our Chelsea brasserie. We provide everything you need for the ultimate game night: boards, spacious tables, and delicious wines, cocktails, and menus to keep you on top of your game. Whether you are new to backgammon or a seasoned player, here’s a recap of the rules and top tips.
Getting Started with Backgammon
Backgammon is a two-player game that dates back to the 3000s, enjoyed even by the ancient Romans. Each player uses 15 black or white pieces called checkers, moving them around a board divided into four sections. A vertical line splits the board into inner and outer tables. Your home board is the quarter closest to you, where your checkers aim to reach as quickly as possible. The goal is to remove all your checkers from the board.
Setting Up the Board
Arrange your checkers as follows:
Two checkers on the 24 point
Five checkers on the 13 point
Three checkers on the 8 point
Five checkers on the 6 point
Each player rolls a dice, and the higher number goes first. Move your checkers toward your home board. They can only land on points that are empty or contain your own checkers, or a single opponent checker.
If you roll a double, you play each number twice. You must use all numbers if possible, and if only one can be used, choose the highest number. If no legal moves exist for a roll, the turn is lost. Once all checkers reach the home board, you can start bearing them off. Match the dice roll to the point you remove your checker from. Remove all 15 checkers to win and claim the champagne!
Top Tips for a Strong Game
Be patient: Take time to plan moves and focus on the long-term goal.
Avoid stacking too many checkers in one point.
Send back opponent checkers whenever possible.
Control the ‘golden point’ (your 5-point) and the 20-point, known as the ‘golden anchor’.
Keep an even number of checkers on your highest points to simplify bearing off.
Never give up: One roll can change the game.
Join Our Backgammon Night
The rules can be tricky, but the best players practice on the board. Join us on Friday 29th January for our next backgammon night. Bring a partner, and we’ll provide drinks, food, and fun. Tickets for two games are £10, and the winner receives a bottle of champagne.
Ready to try your luck? Book your tickets now!
Please call us on 020 7352 2828.