| If you're interested in backgammon you may be | | | | automatically lose the game along with two points. |
| interested to know that several different varieties of | | | | The third Tavli variation known as Fevga also requires |
| backgammon exist and are played in different parts of | | | | players to begin the game with all their checkers on |
| the world. One of these is known as Tavli. | | | | one point on the board. Beginning on the point situated |
| Tavli is a Greek version of backgammon and gets its | | | | to their far right, each player must move his 15 |
| name from the Greek word for "board". Three | | | | checkers around the board and bear off once they |
| separate games make up Tavli, all offering different | | | | are safely in his home board area. A major rule in |
| rules and sequences of play. However, all three are | | | | Fevga is that your first checker must pass the point at |
| usually played in sets where players compete in order | | | | which your opponent has started before you can |
| to win the best of three, five or seven games. | | | | move any of your other checkers. Like Plakoto, there |
| The first version of the game is known as Portes, | | | | is no hitting in the game and one checker is enough to |
| which bears the most similarities to backgammon as it | | | | dominate a point. Plakoto strategy differs from regular |
| is commonly played in the western world. Players | | | | backgammon as the player is not permitted to erect a |
| begin a game of Portes with checkers set up | | | | prime over six consecutive points. If your opponent |
| identically to those in a game of regular backgammon. | | | | gets stuck behind your prime, you are obliged to move |
| However, players do not use a doubling cube for | | | | a checker to enable him to play on. |
| Portes meaning the game is played for fun rather than | | | | While the rules deviate for each Tavli variation, there |
| money. There is also no backgammon. Instead two | | | | are some common points you should remember if |
| points constitute a gammon and a normal win receives | | | | you're interested in trying a game. All Tavli games use |
| one point. | | | | one set of dice and players must determine who |
| A second Tavli variation is known as Plakoto. The | | | | takes the first turn by rolling the dice for a high number. |
| starting point of all checkers in a game of Plakoto | | | | The first player must then roll the dice again to take his |
| deviates from the standard backgammon set up. A | | | | turn. One point is awarded to the first player who |
| player must place his checkers on his opponent's one | | | | successfully bears all his checkers off the board. All |
| point to begin the game and then move them around | | | | Tavli variations rely on the enjoyment of the game |
| the board to his home area to bear off. There is also | | | | alone, therefore no doubling cube is used for gambling |
| no "hitting" of blots in Plakoto. Instead, if you trap your | | | | purposes. |
| opponent's checker on a space it must remain there | | | | Discover more on tavla and backgammon rules. Online |
| until you choose to remove your checker. This creates | | | | backgammon essays like the above have been |
| an interesting new twist on the game of backgammon. | | | | submitted by Gene Marshall. The writer is an online |
| If your mother checker (the last checker on your | | | | backgammon expert. |
| starting point) is trapped by your opponent, you | | | | |