A good backgammon set for a beginner is a complete, ready-to-play folding board: 30 checkers, dice, dice cups and a doubling cube, with a felt playing surface and a size that sits comfortably on your table. At Backgammon Galaxy, our Daily Board covers all of it. It is a medium-sized leatherette folding board with a felt interior and a carry handle, and it comes with 30 checkers (35 mm), two leatherette dice cups, a full set of dice and a doubling cube. We designed the Daily for regular casual games. Our buying guide explains how to pick the right board for the way you play.

What a Beginner Backgammon Set Needs in the Box

Every game uses the same equipment. Each player has 15 checkers and 2 dice, and there is 1 doubling cube, as we set out in our How to Play Backgammon guide. The U.S. Backgammon Federation (USBGF) Beginner's Guide adds a dice cup for each player, used to shake and cast the dice.

A beginner set should cover all of it, so the first game can start the day the box opens:

  • 30 checkers, 15 in each of two colors
  • Two pairs of dice, one pair for each player
  • Two dice cups
  • A doubling cube, marked 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64

Our Daily Board is ready to play straight out of the box, with checkers, dice, a doubling cube and matching cups.

Open Daily backgammon board with checkers, dice cups and doubling cube set up to play
The Daily Board comes with 30 checkers, dice, two dice cups and a doubling cube.

Choosing the Size and Playing Surface

Our buying guide groups boards into three sizes, measured from top to bottom:

Size Length, top to bottom
Small (roll-up boards) About 12 to 16 inches
Medium 16 to 19 inches
Tournament Over 19 inches

For a first board, medium is the practical middle. The Daily Board is medium-sized, so it gives you plenty of room to play without taking over the whole table. It is easy to carry around. The frame is sturdy enough to make it a great travel companion.

The playing surface shapes how the game feels. Checkers glide smoothly on felt, while wood looks good but is very noisy. The Daily has a felt interior, and its playing surface won't wear down easily, which matters on a board built for everyday games.

Close-up of the Daily backgammon board's felt playing surface, dice and leatherette frame
A felt playing surface keeps checkers gliding and dice quiet.

Start With How You Will Play

We suggest starting with one question: what will you use the board for?

  • Family and friends at home. This is where the Daily fits.
  • Travel. A folding board with a handle is easy to take with you. Our travel boards collection includes the Daily alongside our dedicated travel sets.
  • Clubs and tournaments. Tournament play uses larger boards, over 19 inches by our size guide.
Daily backgammon board closed, black leatherette case with carry handle
Closed, the Daily folds into a leatherette case with a carry handle.

Learning the Game Alongside Your First Board

The rules come quickly. The USBGF Beginner's Guide says they can be learned in 30 minutes, and we have put together a few ways to make that first half hour easier.

  • Rules and setup. Our How to Play Backgammon guide and How to Set Up a Backgammon Board walk through the starting position and how to win. For a video version, watch our tutorial, How to Play Backgammon.
  • Practice between games. Backgammon Galaxy is free to play online against AI and live players. Our Practice vs AI mode lets you play the computer with hints and feedback, as our help center explains.
  • Lessons. Lessons in our app are sets of backgammon problems grouped by topic, at Easy, Medium or Hard difficulty. Free members can try the first part of each lesson, and Star and StarPRO members get unlimited lessons.

When to Move Up to a Tournament-Size Board

If you start playing at a club or entering events, look at our Nova: a full tournament-size board with large checkers, for regular club, café, home or event play.

Nova tournament-size backgammon board with its checkers, dice, dice cups and doubling cube
The Nova: our full tournament-size board for club and event play.

To compare our boards side by side, browse the full range on our Backgammon Boards & Sets page.

Shop Backgammon Galaxy Boards

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should a Beginner Backgammon Set Include?

A complete set has 30 checkers (15 per player), two pairs of dice, two dice cups and a doubling cube. At Backgammon Galaxy, our Daily Board comes ready to play, with checkers, dice, a doubling cube and matching cups in a medium-sized leatherette folding board with a felt interior.

What Size Backgammon Board Should a Beginner Buy?

A medium board, 16 to 19 inches by our size guide, is a practical first board. Our medium-sized Daily Board gives plenty of room to play without taking over the whole table, and it has a handle for travel.

Is Felt a Good Playing Surface for Beginners?

Yes. Checkers glide smoothly on felt, while wood surfaces are very noisy. A felt interior, like our Daily Board's, keeps play smooth at home.

How Can I Learn Backgammon Quickly?

Read our How to Play Backgammon guide or watch our video tutorial, then practice for free against AI and live players on our site. Practice vs AI gives hints and feedback, and our lessons cover backgammon problems by topic at three difficulty levels.

References

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