Board games
Greek Tavli
Portes, Plakoto and Fevga in turn
Tavli is how Greece and Cyprus play backgammon: not one game but three in turn. Portes is the classic hitting game, Plakoto pins lone checkers instead of hitting them, and Fevga is a no-hitting race the same way round. The winner of each game opens the next, and the first to 5 points (or 3 or 7) takes the match.
- Players
- 2 players
- Length
- 10–20 min per match
- Type
- Board games
Play Greek Tavli online with friends
At Masa, Greek Tavli is a game of its own right next to Tavla: pick it in the games list, open a table and share its code or link with your friends, or sit at a house table. Bots fill the empty chairs, and voice chat keeps the table talking.
How to play
- 1
Three games in turn — Portes, Plakoto, Fevga — until a player reaches 5 points. The winner of each game opens the next.
- 2
Portes: Tavla’s rules, but a checker that hits in your home board can’t move on in the same turn.
- 3
Plakoto: pin lone checkers instead of hitting them; a pinned mother loses the game double.
- 4
Fevga: both run the same way round with no hitting; the first checker passes the opponent’s start before any other moves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Greek Tavli the same game as Tavla?
No. Greek Tavli is played at the same kind of table as Tavla, but with rules of its own — see “How to play” above. At Masa it is a game of its own, with its own tables, stats and achievements.
Can I play Greek Tavli online with friends?
Yes. Open a Greek Tavli table and share its code or link. Empty seats fill with other players or bots, so a game always starts.
Is Greek Tavli free to play?
Yes. You play with Chips, which have no cash value: nothing can be won or cashed out.
