Backagmmon rules | Tavli

Backgammon Rules

Tavli - Portes

The first game to be discussed is the game most often referred to as backgammon-
Portes, the Greek name, which means doors in greek.

How to play

Portes, like all backgammon games described, is played by two players.
One of the players plays with the black pieces, and the other with the white ones. They take turns throwing the dice and moving the pieces in a prescribed way in order to accomplish a given goal.
The player playing with the black pieces is assumed to sit on the North side of the board, while the player playing with the white pieces sits on the South. The board has six positions of the South-Left side. These first six positions will be called "White's inner table" or "White's home". Then comes the middle separation of the board, known as the "Bar". To the right of the Bar are six more positions, these positions are called "White's outer table".
The object of the game is to move all fifteen pieces to one's home, and then to remove them "off" the board in a manner described below. Looking at the board from White's point of view, he has to move all his pieces to his home, and then take them out. If he can do this before Black has done it, he wins the game.
The pieces are moved always in the clockwise direction for White, and the counterclockwise direction for Black.
The player throws the dice, then moves the pieces in accordance with the numbers shown on the dice.

The two numbers of a given throw may be used to move two separate pieces in the amounts indicated by the two dice, or one piece in the total amount.
No piece can be used to move into a position occupied by two or more of the opponent's pieces. Thus, having two or more pieces on a position creates a problem (a door) for the opponent. Such a situation is called making a point or a door. The number of pieces that can be placed on a point is unlimited.
If a single piece is used to move the total amount indicated by the two dice of a throw, each amount must be played separately. Either number can be played first. Naturally, if both numbers, when played first, end up on an opponent's door, the piece cannot be moved.
If the throw is a pair, the throw is called a doublet and the player plays twice the normal amount. Thus, if the throw is 4-4, the player must play four "fours", not two. He may move one, two, three, or four of his pieces with the same rules applying as before.
A player is obligated to play the total amount indicated by the dice, if he can. If he cannot, he must play the highest number possible.
If a single piece occupies a position, this piece is called a blot. If the opponent moves one of his pieces into the position occupied by a blot, the "blot" is "hit," and it is put on the bar of the board. A player with a piece, or more, on the bar must first re-enter this pieces in the game before he is allowed any other move. The piece is entered at the home of the opponent. Naturally, if both numbers of the throw fall on an opponent's door, the pieces cannot be entered and the player loses his turn.
A player may hit one or more blots on the same turn. He may hit up to four if he throws a doublet. The number of pieces on the bar can be even higher than four. They must all be entered into the board before any other move can be made. A player need not hit a blot, if he does not wish to, unless he has to move a piece that hits the blot because all his other pieces are blocked.
A player who has moved all his pieces inside his home may begin to bear them off the board. If a player has removed some of his pieces and then leaves a blot that is hit by the opponent, he cannot continue to remove his pieces until the piece has re-entered the board and has been moved back to the player's home. It is for this reason that a player must remove his pieces judiciously if some of his opponent's pieces are still in his home.
It has been stated already that the player who removes all his pieces' first wins the game. There are, however, additional degrees of victory that are usually agreed upon before the game is begun. For example, if a player has removed all his pieces, whereas his opponent has removed none, then the victory is "double" (counts as two games, or double the stakes), and is called a "gammon." In addition, if a player removes all his pieces, whereas his opponent has not moved all his pieces out of the winner's table (home), the victory is "triple," and is called a "backgammon."

Did you knew...?

An incorrect move must be rectified only if the opponent notices it!
If a die does not rest squarely on one of its faces on the board, the entire throw must be repeated!
If a piece is "touched" he must be moved if possible, only if the piece has been lifted!

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