More Backgammon Variants

Here are more variants of the game that we all love to play.

Hyper-Backgammon
In this variant, each player starts with 3 checkers, each with their 24, 23, and 22 points. This variant also has the cube in play and makes use of the Jacoby rule. In the first round, matches start with 7 points, with points going up in later rounds. Basically all the other normal backgammon rules apply.

Nackgammon
This variant is basically the same as the normal backgammon with the difference that players start at different positions. The normal backgammon has five men on both the midpoint and 6-point. In nackgammon, there are only four men on the two points. The remaining two points are placed at the 23-point.

Narde
This variant is played in Kazakhstan and Russia. Narde is also played with 15 checkers. Players move in the same direction around the board and there is no hitting. According to some experts, this game is basically a game of chance – which some people contest. This variant is very similar to backgammon variants such as Moultezim (Turkey) and Fevga (Greece).

Plakoto
Another Greek backgammon variant, Plakoto has the feature that your opponent’s checkers are pinned rather than hit. This game is in fact almost the same as Tapa, which is played in Bulgaria.

As you may have surmised, there are so many variants of backgammon that it would be hard to keep track of it all. The good thing about it is that there is always something new to learn and if you ever happen to go to another part of the world, there will be something to satisfy your backgammon craving.