The best online backgammon sites
You can play backgammon online free on plenty of sites, and they suit very different players. Here is which to pick for rated play, a quick game with a friend, no ads, or a game at your own pace.
We make Backgammon Lounge, so weigh our pick accordingly. Details on other sites come from their own pages, read on November 3, 2026. We have not scored them in a head-to-head test, and features change.
The short answer
- Rated play and analysis: Backgammon Galaxy.
- A quick game with a friend: Backgammon Lounge, with guest play and an invite link.
- No ads: bgammon.org.
- Your own pace: Zoo Escape, which is turn-based.
- Just the computer: Backgammon Lounge or 247 Backgammon. For a phone, see the best backgammon apps.
Compared
| Site | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Backgammon Lounge | A quick game with a friend, or the computer | Free. Guest play, no download. Friends by 6-letter code or link, ratings, three computer levels |
| Backgammon Galaxy | Rated play and improving | Free. Engine review of every move, rating history, daily tournaments, phone apps |
| PlayOK | Many casual opponents | Free. Guest option, game rooms, rankings, doubling cube option |
| bgammon.org | No ads, open source | Free, "without any ads", AGPL licensed, with a leaderboard |
| 247 Backgammon | Simple games against the computer | Free, play money. Easy to expert levels, with a friend or random opponent option |
| Zoo Escape | Turn-based play at your own pace | Free, registration required. Includes nackgammon and acey-deucey |
For rated play
If you want to improve, look for two things: a rating that tracks your progress, and an engine that reviews your games. Backgammon Galaxy has both. It says you can "review every move with a world-class engine", tracks your rating and error rate over time, and runs daily tournaments from freerolls to major qualifiers. It is the site to try first if you are serious.
Whichever site you choose, ratings are only useful with the full game. Check for the doubling cube and match play, because a casual game without them teaches only part of it.
For a game with a friend
The best friend game is the one your friend can join without signing up. In Backgammon Lounge you open the game, choose Online, pick a match length from a single game up to 15 points, and send the code or link. They can join from a browser on any device, the invite stays valid for a day, and the server rolls the dice and checks every move. Full steps: play backgammon online with a friend.
For a casual game
- PlayOK is one of the long-running free game sites. It has a guest option, game rooms and rankings, and the cube is an option you can turn on.
- bgammon.org is free, open source and says it has no ads, so it suits you if ads are the thing you most want to avoid.
- 247 Backgammon is mainly a game against the computer at four levels, and also offers a random opponent or a friend. It uses play money only.
- Zoo Escape is turn-based, so you can play a few moves a day. You need to register, and it includes the variants nackgammon and acey-deucey.
What about real money?
Real-money backgammon exists, but it is gambling, and whether it is legal depends on where you live. This list covers free play only, and we do not recommend any real-money site. If you are considering one, check your local law and the operator's licence first, and never play with money you cannot afford to lose. Many players prefer club and tournament play instead.
How to choose
- Can you start without an account? That matters most for a one-off game.
- Does it have the cube and match play? Needed if you want the real game.
- Is there a rating? It gives you opponents at your level, and a way to see progress.
- Are there enough players at your time of day? Try a queue for a few minutes before settling on a site.
- Do you trust the dice? Every site gets accused. Here is how to test them.
Want a game now? Start one in your browser. New to it? Read how to play first, it takes a few minutes.
Questions
What is the best online backgammon site?
For rated play and getting better, Backgammon Galaxy has the deepest set of tools: engine review of every move, rating history and daily tournaments. For a quick game with someone you know, a site with guest play and an invite link is faster.
Can you play backgammon online for free?
Yes. Every site on this list has free play, and several let you start with no account. Some are paid for by ads or a shop.
Where can I play backgammon online with a friend?
Backgammon Lounge gives you a 6-letter code and a link to send, and your friend can join from a browser without an account. Backgammon Galaxy also offers private invites.
Can you play backgammon online for real money?
Some sites offer it, but the rules depend on where you live, and it is illegal or restricted in many places. Everything on this list is free to play. Check your local law and the operator's licence before you deposit anywhere.
Are online backgammon sites rigged?
Streaks feel suspicious, but runs of doubles and big numbers are more common than most people expect. You can test any site by recording its rolls. See is online backgammon rigged.
Ready to roll? Play the computer or a friend, free in your browser.
Play backgammon