How to Play

JustGammon is a web-based backgammon platform. This page covers how to start a game and use the on-screen controls. For the rules of backgammon itself, see Backgammon Rules. For the full list of keyboard commands, see Keyboard Shortcuts.

Starting a game

From the home screen you can:

Play online — server will match you with an opponent and will automatically start the game.
Play vs. Bot — play against the computer. You can choose a difficulty level and which checker color (black or white) you want to play as.
Play a private game — create a private game and share the join code with an opponent, or join a private game using a code you received.
Spectate — watch an ongoing game without participating.

Playing a turn

Roll the dice — either using the on-screen dice control or the R keyboard shortcut.
Move your checkers according to the dice values. You can move checkers with the mouse, or use the keyboard controls described in Keyboard Shortcuts.
If a move isn’t legal, the board will not allow it — you can only apply moves permitted by the current dice roll and position.
When all your checkers are in your home board, you can start bearing them off.

Accessibility

JustGammon includes extensive support for playing without relying on sight, driven entirely from the keyboard. Once the board is focused, dedicated shortcuts announce the current dice, score, turn, timer, pip count, bar status, borne-off checkers, possible moves, and more — see the full list in Keyboard Shortcuts. A virtual cursor lets you navigate the board point by point and select checkers without using a mouse.

During the game

Chat — open the in-game chat to talk with your opponent.
History — review the move history of the current game.
Statistics — view statistics such as pip count, dice average, and efficiency.
Report a bug — flag an issue directly from the game screen.
Leave game — exit the current game.

After the game

Completed games are recorded to your game history, where you can review past results and statistics.