# Backgammon question **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 5, 2007, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backgammon-question/390907 "2007-02-05T10:42:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backgammon-question/390907/1 "2007-02-05T10:42:07Z")
Can anyone tell me the rules in a certain situation. I am not good at describing it. I was afraid of being blotted off the board. I got a 3 and a 4. If I moved the 3 first it meant that I could not use the 4. That was good, as moving 4 left me open to blot. My opponent said I must play the 4 first. Is this right? I am sorry if I explained it badly. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backgammon-question/390907/2 "2007-02-05T11:17:05Z")
You must use both dice if legally possible. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backgammon-question/390907/3 "2007-02-05T11:17:44Z")
[One reference:](http://www.woodentoys-uk.co.uk/wooden-games-backgammon-rules.html) > [@](#): > > A player must use both numbers of a roll if this is legally possible (or all four numbers of a double). When only one number can be played, the player must play that number. Or if either number can be played but not both, the player must play the larger one [Another:](http://www.gammoned.com/rules.html) > [@](#): > > The full roll must be used if possible including doubles. If only one number can be played it must be the higher number of the two if possible. [And:](http://www.playing-backgammon.com/backgammon.rules.asp) > [@](#): > > When only one number can be played, the player must play that number. Or if either number can be played but not both, the larger number must be played. Based on this, you had to use the four, but if it had been to your advantage to use the four (instead of the three), you could have prevented yourself from using the three without a problem. ---
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backgammon-question/390907/4 "2007-02-05T11:18:27Z")
There comes a situation when you most of your pieces in your homeboard and the dice comes a certain way, you can move one piece first to avoid moving the other. Is this legal? ---
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backgammon-question/390907/5 "2007-02-05T11:24:05Z")
I found the answer --you must play both numbers of a roll if possible. Sometimes this means having to make a move you don’t like so that your other number can also be played. ``` If you can play one number but not both, then you must play the higher one. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backgammon-question/390907/6 "2007-02-05T11:26:25Z")
I should add that not all computerized/online versions of the game recognize this “larger number first” rule, as I’ve exploited the situation you describe several times. It sounds like something you’d want to clarify with your (human) opponent before starting. ---
**Author:** ![blinkingblinking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2007, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backgammon-question/390907/7 "2007-02-05T11:27:12Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] Based on this, you had to use the four, but if it had been to your advantage to use the four (instead of the three), you could have prevented yourself from using the three without a problem. [/QUOTE] I think you are wrong according to this website[link](http://www.bkgm.com/faq/BasicRules.html#can_i_pass_when_it_s_my_turn_)