Editorial: Learn about backgammon variations

Backgammon games have been popular for thousands of years. Backgammon history stretches all the way back to ancient Egypt and the Middle East. Several versions of backgammon rules have evolved over the centuries and often vary between different cultures, nations and parts of the globe. This guide will teach you about some of the main backgammon variations and how they differ from American backgammon.

Backgammon Variants: HyperGammon

While a game under typical backgammon rules can be fun, it can also be time-consuming. For those players who love the thrill of backgammon games at a faster pace, one of the fastest backgammon variations is called "HyperGammon". Instead of using the fifteen checkers for a traditional American backgammon game, players only use three checkers on each of the three furthest points on their home board.

Backgammon Variants: Acey-Deucey Backgammon

"Acey-Deucey" backgammon is a popular variation on American backgammon. The backgammon history of this game stems from the years it was played by US Navy sailors. In Acey-Deucey backgammon, a roll of 1-2 is the best possible dice roll, as opposed to traditional backgammon rules.

Players start with all of their checkers off the board and can move any of their checkers, even if all of them are not on the board yet. If a player rolls "acey-deucey", the player can them name and play any doubles roll he wishes. The first player to bear all his checkers off the board wins.

Backgammon Variants: Dutch Backgammon

Just like in acey-deucey backgammon, players in Dutch backgammon start with all of their checkers off the board. Players enter checkers onto the board by rolling the dice. For instance, if a player rolls 2-5, he places one checker on the opponent's two-point and one on his five-point. After the first roll, a player can enter more checkers or move the existing ones.

The difference between Dutch backgammon and typical backgammon games comes from when a player can "hit". In Dutch backgammon, a player cannot "hit" a blot until he has at least one checker on his home board.

Backgammon Variants: French Backgammon

Some of the more interesting backgammon variations are forms of French backgammon. The more traditional set of French backgammon rules come from a game called "trictrac", which was a highly popular game during the French Revolution. In this game, players score points for their checker's position and potential hits rather than racing them off the board.

Another version of French backgammon has different rules for rolling doubles. For example, if a player rolls double-fives, the player gets to play four fives ("double double") instead of just two. The player also gets to play the "complement" (seven minus the number rolled) four times. In this case, the player would also play four twos.

Backgammon Variants: Greek Backgammon

Many of the most important chapters in backgammon history originated in ancient Greece. Centuries later, the game is still popular there today. One version, called "plakoto", allows a player to "pin" an opponent's checker rather than "hit" it. If an opponent's checker is pinned, he cannot move that checker from that point. Only the player controlling that point can land his checker on that point.

Another of the Greek backgammon variants, called "fevga", has players start with all their checkers on the corner point. In "fevga", a single checker on a point controls that point; only other checkers of that color can land on that point. Also, since players play from opposite corners, they both go in the same direction around the board.

Backgammon Variants: Online Backgammon

One of the major events in backgammon history came when the first web-based games appeared. Players can find many of these backgammon variations at a number of online gaming sites and can indulge in backgammon games against either live or computerized opponents. For players who are new to the game, our site offers comprehensive backgammon rules to get you started.

Backgammon Variants: Conclusion

With so many different national variations to the game, including Mexican, Old English, Russian and Turkish, as well as fun variants like "Blast Off", "Chasing the Girls" and "Grasshopper", backgammon can offer an exciting and action-packed game for players of all levels. New players will find a version that appeals to their sense of fun, while experienced players can find new challenges and sharpen new skills.