What Is a Pip in Backgammon?

Identification

• Any backgammon set includes two dice of each of two different colors, generally brown and white or beige. These are also the colors of the game pieces. Each player selects a color and uses the dice that match his or her playing pieces. The pips in backgammon may all be black, or they may be a contrasting color in order to be seen more easily on darker dice.

Function

• The game begins with each player rolling one die. The player whose die shows the largest number or pips goes first. After the first round, each player rolls both of his or her dice on most turns. The number of pips on each die are considered separate in backgammon. For example, if the dice show five pips and two pips, the player may move one piece two spaces and one five spaces, or the same piece two and then five spaces (or five and then two spaces).

Significance

• Since the goal of backgammon is to move all of one's pieces all the way around the board and eventually remove them, a major part of the game is related to luck and the ability to roll dice showing the largest number of pips. There is also some skill involved, in terms of deciding which pieces to move at which times.

Warning

• There are a few complications that make this basic form of game play more interesting. If one player rolls a number of pips that correspond to a space occupied by one of the opponent's pieces, the player can move there and remove the opponent's piece from the board, forcing it to start back at the beginning. Also, if two of a player's pieces occupy the same space, none of the opponent's pieces can land there at the end of the count of either die (although more of the same player's pieces can share the space if necessary).

Benefits

• If a player throws two dice with matching numbers of pips (doubles), the player uses each number twice. For example, if a player rolls double fives, he or she moves a total of twenty spaces, with one, two, three or four different pieces.