How does a Backgammon Layout Differ Online?

There are some basic differences between the layouts of an online and real backgammon board. The differences are mostly superficial, having to do with the look and feel of the board; the features required to play a game on either of these media are the same.

Every backgammon board must have 12 triangles that point into the board and connect to the outer margins of the board on the top and the bottom. While there is no fixed specification regarding the colours of these triangles, there is the specification that they must be in two alternating colours black and white, red and green, red and black, etc. These are universally called points and must number 24 in all, both on online as well as real boards. The pieces are called checkers universally again.

One major difference between the online and real backgammon layout is the ability to have the points numbered, something that is not attempted on a real backgammon layout. This lack of numbering is to avoid confusion, as players move opposite to each other in a real game. This means that number 24 for you would be number 1 for your opponent, and vice versa. Numbering is possible on an online backgammon layout because you see only your own screen and there is no chance of any confusion regarding the opponents numbers and yours.

A bar through the centre divides the outer and home boards. This is common to all backgammon layouts. While the outer and inner boards may look different in different layouts, the functionality is the same always. An online board uses virtual checkers as against real ones on a real board.

The online backgammon layout has a roll button instead of the die seen on the real board. The roll button decides the number of moves you make. Another button, the double button, is used instead of the even-numbered dice. You need this button for tactical play. There may be extra hot keys on some of the advanced sites. These hot keys ensure faster play speeds. The functionality of these keys is explained at the site.

These are the differences between an online and a real backgammon layout.