HT Games
Points
Each half of a backgammon board has 12 long, acute triangles called points. These points alternate in colors, one for each player. Typically the points are black and white, but variations do exist. Each of the points is numbered 1 through 26, counting counterclockwise from the player. The first six points are called the home board, while seven through 12 are the outer board. Every point is long enough to hold five pawns stacked vertically.
Pawns
Also known as chips, checkers, stones or men, pawns are small, circular counters that players manipulate around the board through play. They typically are made of plastic or wood, but more ornate sets have featured pawns made of glass, metal, gems or gold. A complete backgammon set has 30 pawns of two separate colors. Traditionally, sets feature black and white or black and red pawns, but variations do exist. Pawns should have a diameter no greater than widest part of a point, so that six pawns may stack horizontally across the board in an even fashion.
Dice
Every backgammon set needs a minimum of two dice, but many have four to eliminate the need for sharing between players. These standard six-sided dice dictate how far a player may move his pawns each turn. An additional six-sided die, known as the doubling cube, is standard in most backgammon sets. With the numbers 2, 4, 18, 32 and 64 on its faces, the doubling cube offers players a means to speed up play. This typically is used by those gambling while playing.
Bar
Because most backgammon tables fold in half, there often is a raised ridge down the center of the board that divides the inner and outer tables. While it's a cosmetic feature caused by traditional board design, the bar also plays a role in gameplay. Pawns that have been hit or eliminated from the board are placed on the bar, away from the rest of the game, until they are brought back into play with a successful roll.