Backgammon is a two player board game where strategy plays an important role, much like chess.  To start a game of backgammon, you must first determine who will move first.  The best way to do this is by each player rolling one die and whoever gets the highest number moves first.  In the event of a tie, the players simply roll again until one player receives a higher number.  The dice roll should always take place on the backgammon board.

Before you move you will first roll both die, getting two numbers.   You may choose to move one of your checkers the total number of spaces of the combined die or you can move one checker the number of spaces for one of the die and a second checker the other number.  This is where the strategy of backgammon is important.  You may move your backgammon checkers to any empty space (point) or a point which you control.  If your opponent has one checker occupying a point, you may move there and steal his checker (called hitting), putting it back at the beginning.  If your opponent has more than two checkers resting at a point, you may not move there.  If there is no way to move because your opponent is blocking points, you lose your turn.  If you can move a checker, then you must.  How you choose to expose your checkers to being hit, to move your checkers or not move them, and your success in hitting your opponents checkers will determine your success at backgammon.  A great place for any beginning player to hone their skills is a free online backgammon sight.  Check it out.