2 Player Singles Only

Backgammon

Duration - 20 mins

Opening set up. Black moves from top right anti-clockwise. White moves from bottom right clockwise.

The board spaces are 24 triangular points.

2 dice are used to move 15 pieces each in opposite directions.

The destination is the 6 points of their home board from where pieces can be borne off to safety.

First to bear off all their pieces wins.

Lone pieces (a blot) on a point can be hit by an opposing piece.

Hit pieces are removed to the bar and must re-enter the board through their opponent's home board.

Two or more pieces on a point are safe.

A gammon (double game score) is won when the loser has not borne off any pieces.

A backgammon (triple game score) is won when the loser has at least one piece still in the winner's home board or on the bar.

During the game the value of the game can also be doubled and redoubled by each player passing the doubling cube to the other when he thinks he may be in an advantageous position.

MSO

Rules -  www.centralconnector.com/GAMES/BACKGAMM.htm

Further Info - Wikipedia

Tabula

Duration - 20 mins

As in backgammon players use two dice to move their 15 pieces onto, around and off the board.

In Tabula both players move their pieces in the same direction and bear them off from the same home board (above right).

One piece on a space is vulnerable and can be hit and removed to start again.

Two or more pieces are safe.

There is no doubling dice.

Royal Game of Ur

(Merit)

The board is a copy of that found in the ancient city of Ur and claims to be one of the oldest games in the world.

Duration - 20 mins

Enter your 7 counters onto the board and along a set route.

You can hit your opponent's single counters to make them start again and vice versa.

The first player to race all his counters to the end wins

Senet

Duration - 20 mins

Starting with 5 pieces each, players can move one piece at a time according to the dice throw (or sticks throw).  The aim is to bear all 5 off the board after running them along each row.  Pieces landing on marked squares move accordingly.  Pieces can be blocked, may have to move backwards or swap positions with opponent piece. Points are scored for opponent pieces reamaining on the board.

Patolli

Duration - 30 mins

Six pieces are moved up 3 arms of the cross following their respectively coloured footprints and back to their start point.

The leading piece governs when other pieces join the board.

Flat 2-sided dice are thrown the same number of times as pieces on the track, then decide which dice combination to match with which piece.

Solo pieces on a space can be taken and removed to start again.

The central black footprints are safe havens and can be occupied by pieces of both players at once.

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2 Players or More

Quatro Gammon

Format - 2 to 4 players

Duration - 45 minutes

For those who are already familiar with backgammon.

The board is circular with 36 points consisting of 4 home boards of 9 points.

• 2 players (15 pieces each) - play in opposite directions.
• 3 players (best with 11 pieces each) - 2 play in same direction, the other plays in opposite direction.
• 4 players (best with 11 pieces each) - 2 play clockwise, the other 2 play anti-clockwise.
• 3 or 4 players:-
• A combination dice throw allows temporary touching of points occupied by 2 or more opposition pieces en route to another point (vacant, own occupied or a blot).
• Doubling cube - at least one other must accept it. Those refusing then drop out (pieces taken off board).
• 2, 3 or 4 players:-
• Single, double, treble and quadruple score gained from each opponent depending on how distant their furthest piece is from their own home board

Scorpion

(Spears - 1983)

Format - 2 to 4 players

Duration - 20 mins

Players attempt to race their 4 scorpions around and off the track.

The 2 dice may be thrown to count for the yellow and /or black track.

Avoid being stung by your opponent's scorpions whilst trying to sting their scorpions to make them switch tracks.

Hare and Tortoise

(Gibsons)

Format - 2 to 6 players

Duration - 45 mins

The strategy is whether to race ahead like a hare or pace yourself like a tortoise. No dice involved. Players move by playing carrot cards (energy). These can be gained by moving backwards. Also the further back in the field the more cards you can collect.  Which strategy will get you to the line first?

MSO

Rules - www.davidparlett.co.uk/haretort/

Further Info - Wikipedia

Barricade (Malefiz)

Format - 2 to 4 players

Duration - approx 30 mins

Use one 6-spot dice to move one of your 5 pieces to the finish square to win. The barricades (white pieces) can be moved from their start positions when they are landed upon.  Opponent pieces start again when landed upon. Otherwise pieces of either side can be jumped over.

Vendetta

Format - 2 to 4 players

Duration - 30 mins

The setting is 1920’s Chicago with opposing mafia gangs, but the game play has backgammon elements to it. You must move your Godfather figure from his base, around the board and safely back to base again. 8 henchmen help your Godfather’s progress. There is hostage taking and the use of hitmen to eliminate pieces

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