Tavla rules

admin · Site Admin Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 862

The name Tavla is the Turkish name for backgammon, and it is believed that the game of backgammon originated from the area around Turkey around the year 3000BC. Ever since then the game has grown in popularity and is now played all over the world. The same game is called Takhteh in Iran. The backgammon boards found in Turkey are beautifully designed wood with mother of pearl inlays - a great collector's item.

Tavla rules are slightly different to the rules known and played in Western games. The way that they differ is that the winner of the opening roll rerolls for his first turn. This is a privilege that is not given to the winner in Western games. The Trivala rules state that there is no "hit-and-run" in the player's home board. In Western rules this is a respected move and probably wouldn’t even be noticed. During bearing off, a player may not unnecessarily waste pips (pieces).

When playing Trivala rules the winner scores one point for a normal win and two points for a gammon win, unlike in Western games where a win is a win and there is only one point gained. The Turkish game there is no such win as backgammon; there are only wins and gammons. The final difference between the Western rules of backgammon and the Trivala rules is that in the latter there is no use of the doubling cube.

Whether you use the Western rules or the Turkish rules the game of backgammon is a great way to bond with friends and have a laugh. Remember that at the end of the day you are only playing a game and friendships are not worth losing over this game. Keep the play light hearted and cheer the winner even when you are not him.