Backgammon Variants: Tavla, Tavli, Nardy and Takhte Nard
The board is almost the same everywhere – the rules are not always. If you play in Istanbul, Athens, Tehran or Baku, it helps to know the local customs.
Tavla (Turkey)
In Turkey the game is called Tavla. The basic rules match classic backgammon: same setup, hitting, entering, bearing off. It is usually played without a doubling cube up to a set number of games; a gammon is called “mars” and counts double. Typical are the Persian names for rolls, such as “şeş beş” for 6-5 or “düşeş” for double sixes.
Tavli (Greece)
Greek Tavli usually consists of three games played in turn:
- Portes: practically identical to backgammon.
- Plakoto: checkers are not hit but “pinned”: a single checker that the opponent lands on stays trapped until the pinning checker moves on. All checkers start on one point.
- Fevga: both players move in the same direction and there is no hitting – even a single checker blocks a point.
Nardy (Russia, Caucasus)
In Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, nardy are hugely popular. There are “long nardy” – all 15 checkers start on one point, there is no hitting and a single checker blocks – and “short nardy”, which correspond to backgammon.
Takhte Nard (Iran) and Tawla
In Iran the game is called Takhte Nard, in many Arab countries Tawla or Tawlat az-Zahr, and in Israel and parts of the Arab world also “Shesh Besh”. It is essentially played by backgammon rules, often without a doubling cube and at a lively pace.
More variants
| Variant | Special feature |
|---|---|
| Acey-deucey | Checkers start off the board; the 1-2 roll brings special bonuses. |
| Hypergammon | Only three checkers per player – short, tactical games. |
| Nackgammon | One checker each from the midpoint and the 6-point also starts at the back (point 23) – longer, more tactical games. |
On our site you play classic backgammon – that is Tavla, Portes, short nardy and Takhte Nard. The basics are in how to play backgammon.
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