Classic Backgammon is a browser-based board game that runs instantly, with nothing to install. It leans on chess & checkers and retro & arcade, so expect something that rewards a bit of practice. No account, no install and no plugins — just the game in a browser tab.
About Classic Backgammon
Move all your checkers around the board and bear off all your pieces from the board before your opponent! Two game’s mode: - Play against a friend locally - Challenge the computer
How to play Classic Backgammon
You can work the whole thing out by playing it. Keep a hand on the arrow keys / WASD; everything else is listed in the controls table. It fills the player in landscape, so use the fullscreen button on desktop and turn your phone sideways on mobile. The second run is always better than the first — that is the whole learning curve.
Controls
| Input | Action |
|---|---|
| Mouse | Navigate menus and interact |
| Arrow keys / WASD | Move |
| Spacebar | Primary action |
On mobile: Tap and swipe on screen. Turn your phone sideways — this game is designed for landscape and fills a horizontal screen.
Why it is worth playing
Classic Backgammon does one thing and does it properly. There is no bloat around the edges, which is exactly what you want from a board game in a browser tab. A browser game does not need to be more than that.
At a glance
- Free to play with no account required
- Runs in the browser — nothing to download or install
- Landscape layout with fullscreen support
- Keyboard and mouse on desktop, full touch support on mobile.
- Chess & Checkers gameplay — The oldest strategy games there are
- Retro & Arcade gameplay — Cabinet-era games that still hold up
- Added to our catalogue from a 2020 release
Frequently asked questions
Is Classic Backgammon free to play?
Yes, entirely free. Classic Backgammon costs nothing to play, asks for no card and has no paid tier hiding behind it.
Do I need to download or install anything?
Nothing at all. Classic Backgammon runs in the browser tab you already have open, the same way a video or a map does.
Can I play Classic Backgammon on my phone?
Yes. Tap and swipe on screen. Turn your phone sideways — this game is designed for landscape and fills a horizontal screen.
What are the controls for Classic Backgammon?
Keyboard and mouse on desktop, full touch support on mobile. Mouse — navigate menus and interact; Arrow keys / WASD — move; Spacebar — primary action.
Can I play Classic Backgammon fullscreen?
There is a fullscreen control in the top-right of the player. Press Escape when you want the page back.
What kind of game is Classic Backgammon?
Classic Backgammon is a board game built around chess & checkers and retro & arcade. If that is the sort of thing you enjoy, the related games further down the page are picked using the same tags.
