Board games
Backgammon
Tavla (Turkish rules)
The 5,000-year-old race, Turkish style
Backgammon, called tavla in Turkey, is a race of 15 checkers around the board. Every roll is a choice: run for home, build walls to block your opponent or hit a lone checker and send it back to the start.
- Players
- 2 players
- Length
- 10–20 min per match
- Type
- Board games
Play Backgammon online with friends
Challenge a friend to a match to 3 points: send the link to your table and play from any phone or browser, with nothing to download on the web. Tease each other on voice chat between rolls, and pick a Paris rooftop or the Wild West Saloon as your backdrop.
How to play
- 1
Each player rolls one die; the higher roll starts by rolling both dice. In later games the previous winner opens.
- 2
Move checkers forward by the numbers rolled. Doubles are played four times.
- 3
You cannot land on a point held by two or more of your opponent’s checkers. Landing on a single checker hits it and sends it to the bar.
- 4
A checker on the bar must re-enter in your opponent’s home board before you move anything else.
- 5
Once all 15 checkers are in your home board, start bearing them off. The first player to bear off all 15 wins.
At the table
Frequently asked questions
How is Tavla different from international backgammon?
There is no doubling cube, a gammon (mars) is worth 2, and the winner of the previous game opens the next one.
Do I have to use both dice?
You must play as many dice as you legally can. If only one die can be played, you must play the larger one when possible.
Can I undo a move?
Yes, you can undo moves within your turn until you confirm it.
