Tavli - 3 Games in 1

admin · Site Admin Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 788

Lately I have really been getting into the Greek version of backgammon, Tavli. If you don't know anything about Tavli I suggest that you read up, grab your backgammon board and a friend and give it a try as soon as possible!

Tavli is interesting because it consists of three games in one - Portes, Plakoto and Fevga. The games are played in succession during the course of a match.

Portes is similar to the regular game of backgammon you are probably used to playing. The differences are that there is no three-point backgammon win, just 2-point gammon and 1-point normal win, the winner of the roll to determine who will play first re-rolls for his first turn and there is no doubling cube used. These rules are consistent in Plakoto and Fevga as well.

In Plakoto, players start with all fifteen checkers on the opposing one point. Additionally, there is no hitting in this version and if you land on a blot you simply pin him to the point until you move your checker. If you pin the last opposing checker on the starting point you win the game.

In Fevga, opponents start with all checkers on outer points diagonal from each other. In this game one checker controls a point so you may not land on any point with an opposing checker. Additionally, the first checker must pass your opponent's start point before you can move other checkers.

In my opinion, Tavli is the best variation of backgammon I've played to date! It never gets boring as it changes up the rules after each game and it is completely different than any tables game I've ever played before. Give it a try!