Backgammon Variations

Gin · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 15

Hello. I’ve been reading a lot about how backgammon has been around for such a long time that tons of variations on the game have been invented. I was wondering if anyone could tell me about some popular variations, how to play them and where I might be able to play them online. Thanks in advance!

Deuce · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 38

There are a lot of different versions of backgammon. A few of the popular ones are tavla, long-gammon, hypergammon, narde, crazy narde, nackgammon and acey deucey. You can google any of these names and it’s easy to find out how to play. Some of these games have different set-ups than traditional backgammon and others have an entirely different set of rules. I think you can play most of them at www.vogclub.com but many online backgammon sites offer different variations. Anyway, good luck with your search.

Fiona · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 16

I have two personal favorite variations of backgammon—long-gammon and hypergammon. Both games have exactly the same rules as regular backgammon, the only difference is the set-up.

In long-gammon the players begin with all fifteen checkers on the opposing one-point. Starting this way can make for longer, much more exciting games. This game is great for improving your strategy.

Hypergammon is sort of the opposite of long-gammon. Instead of starting with all of your checkers back you start with only three checkers. Each player places one checker each on the opposing one, two and three points. This game goes by quick, so strategy is incredibly important.

You can play both games with software downloads from tower software:
http://www.towersoftware.net/index.php?page=gamedetails&id=2

Hope you’ll enjoy long-gammon and hypergammon as much as I do!

FlyShot · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

Acey Deucey is another fun variation of backgammon that is available all over the place for online play. In Acey Deucey players start with all of their checkers off the board and then enter through their opponent’s home board. The rules are pretty much the same as regular backgammon except for a couple slight differences. First, in Acey Deucey you are free to move any checker at any time, even if you have a checker on the bar (provided it is to an open space). The real difference in Acey Deucey is the “Acey Deucey” roll. If you roll a 1-2, you must make your play and when you are finished you may call out any double and play the double. After that you get to roll again.

Some people love this variation, others don’t. I suggest you try for yourself and see if you like it! It’s one of my favorite games to play on a gammon board.

Checker · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 10

I like Tavla. Tavla is the Turkish backgammon. It is played almost identically to the backgammon you are used to. The set-up is the same and the rules are nearly the same.

The differences between Tavla and Western Backgammon begin with the first roll. In Western backgammon, the players roll to see who goes first and then the first player uses this roll for his first turn. In Tavla, the winner re-rolls the dice before making his first move.

The rest of the differences occur in the home board. In Tavla, you may hit an opponent in your home board but may not run for cover afterwards. You must leave the checker you used for the hit on that point. You have two options—either to leave the checker exposed or to cover the checker with a different checker. Another difference is that if you have the opportunity to bear off a checker you must take it. As an example, in regular backgammon if you roll a 3-2 and you have two checkers on your six point you may move those checkers down, even if you have checkers on three and two. In Tavla you MUST bear off three and two, even if you would rather move higher checkers. These rules make it much more tricky to create blockades and to safeguard yourself in your home board, should there be an opposing checker on the bar or on your lower points. Personally, I think these rules add a bit of excitement to the mix.

Finally, the scoring in Tavla is a bit different. You still receive one point for a normal win and two points for a gammon, but there is no such thing as a three point backgammon win. Additionally, you don’t play Tavla with a doubling cube so there is no opportunity to up the stakes.

Give it a try and I hope you’ll enjoy!