Backgammon

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Backgammon game

Backgammon game

Backgammon (backgammon, backgammon, tawla, shesh-besh, kosha) is a game for two players. It takes place on a board consisting of two halves. Players throw dice and move checkers, the number of moves is determined by the points on the dice. The player's task is to go around the board and draw the checkers before the opponent does.

Game history

The prototype of backgammon was known in Ancient Egypt under the name of Senet in the 4th century BC. In Mesopotamia, there was a royal game "hurray". In the state of Shahri-Sukhta on the territory of modern Iran, three millennia BC, people used two bones and 60 chips.

The direct ancestor of backgammon is the Roman tabula, described by the Byzantine emperor Flavius ​​Zeno in the 5th century. In this game, a 24-point board was already used, and the players were throwing the dice and advancing the chips towards each other. Thanks to the detailed description, we know that the rules have hardly changed.

For a long time, backgammon in Europe was forgotten, they were remembered only in the XII century, when the crusaders brought the game from the campaigns. True, backgammon was then called "trick-track". The rules of "Short Backgammon", close to modern ones, were formulated in 1743 by the Englishman Edmond Hoyle. "Long backgammon" is more common in the East.

Now backgammon is popular everywhere, in many countries there are clubs of fans of the game, tournaments are held.

Interesting Facts

  • According to legend, in the distant past, the Indians handed chess to the Persians without explaining the game. In this way, arrogant mathematicians wanted to demonstrate their intellectual superiority. Soon a caravan arrived from Persia, and in an oak casket, the Indians found a parchment with the rules of the game of chess and an inlaid backgammon board.
  • In Persia, backgammon was treated with reverence, the attributes and rules of the game were considered special symbols. 12 points of the field correspond to the number of months in a year, 24 points on both halves of the board - the number of hours in a day. According to the games played at a certain time, the court sages made predictions about wars, crops and other important issues.
  • Backgammon players believe in omens. For example, you cannot talk badly about dice so that luck does not leave, and during the throw it is better not to look at them.

Now you do not need to look for a backgammon partner, you can start the game at any time. Place checkers, roll the dice and may luck be favorable to you!

How to play backgammon

How to play Backgammon

Each player has 15 checkers and 2 dice. In long backgammon, the initial position of checkers on the board is called the head. In one move, you can take one checker from the head (except for the first throw). In backgammon, each player has two checkers at 24 points, five at 13, three at 8 and five at 6. You need to move all the checkers of your color to the house and remove them from the board. The winner is the one who removes all his checkers first. Before the start, the players throw the dice, the one with the most points goes first.

  • Players take turns.
  • Move the checkers in a circle in a certain direction.
  • Roll two dice (dice) before you move. The possibility of a move depends on the points dropped.
  • In one move, you can make up to four moves of a checker. You have the right to move any of your checkers by the number of points dropped on one of the dice. For example, if two dice rolled 3 and 1, you can move one checker by 3 points, the other by 1 point, or move one checker by 3 and 1 point in any order. If both dice have the same number, the dropped points are doubled. Each move is done for the full number of points, you cannot refuse a move.
  • If the points of one of the dice cannot be used, they are lost. It is your responsibility to make the most of your moves.
  • When all the checkers hit the house, start putting them behind the board. A checker is thrown when the number of the point on which it stands is equal to the number of points on one of the dice. If all the checkers in the house are closer to the edge of the board than the dropped number of points, place the checker from the point with the highest number.

There is no draw in backgammon. The game can end with a different score, depending on the outcome, the final is called: oin (simple victory), mars (double victory), coke (triple victory).

Game tips

  • Make sure that your opponent does not capture more than three consecutive positions in your upper side. This position is considered very promising - try to take it first!
  • Try to gain strategic superiority from the first moves. Move one chip forward, and take the second from the first line. This way you will quickly put all the chips into the game and take advantageous positions.
  • If you line up a horizontal row of six checkers in front of an opponent's checker, it will not be able to participate in the game. This technique is aimed at keeping the opponent. At the same time, it is prohibited to lock all the "enemy" checkers.
  • If at the beginning of the game you got 6: 6 or 4: 4, you can quickly bring the checkers to the first house. Start with the distant figures, gradually transfer them, without strengthening the first block. The strategy is applicable with other variations of numbers as well.

The seeming simplicity of backgammon is deceiving - to win, it is not enough to throw the dice successfully. Don't trust your luck, look for winning strategies and win!