Backgammon players are always looking for new ways to enjoy their favorite game. If you find yourself with more than two players and only one backgammon board, there’s no need to sit around waiting for your turn.
That’s where chouette comes in.
A chouette is a popular backgammon format that allows three or more players to play together at the same time. It’s social, strategic, and often very lively.
The word chouette is French and literally means “owl,” but in backgammon, it simply refers to this multiplayer format — not to playing in the dark or chasing rodents.
Let’s see how it works.
How Do You Play a Chouette in Backgammon?
To understand the rules, let’s start with a simple example involving three players. The same principles apply when more players are involved.
The Roles
- One player is “in the box”
This player plays alone against the others. - The remaining players form a team
One of them is designated the captain.
Roles are usually decided randomly, often by rolling the dice before the first game.
How the Game Is Played
Once roles are assigned, the game begins:
- The box player makes all decisions alone
- The team discusses moves together
- In case of disagreement within the team, the captain’s decision is final
This creates a unique dynamic where one player relies on personal judgment, while the others combine ideas and experience.
Doubling Cubes in a Chouette
One of the most interesting aspects of chouette play is the use of multiple doubling cubes.
- The box player and each team member has their own cube
- Cubes can be offered and accepted independently
This leads to situations where:
- The captain may drop a cube
- While another team member accepts and continues playing
Because of this, not all players are always involved in every cube decision, which adds depth and complexity to the game.
Rotation of the Box
- The box player stays in the box as long as they keep winning
- If the team wins the game:
- The captain usually goes into the box for the next game
- Unless the captain dropped a cube earlier and is no longer active
- In that case, another team member takes the box position
This rotation keeps the chouette dynamic and fair over time.
Scoring in a Chouette
All results are recorded on a chouette score sheet.
Each player tracks their own points independently.
When the session ends, the winner is the player who accumulated the most points overall.
Chouette is usually played like a money game, with each point assigned a fixed value (for example, $1 per point).
Because the box player plays against multiple opponents at once:
- A single winning game can be worth several times more
- For example, winning a gammon with the cube at 2 against two team members results in 8 points (4 × 2)
This makes chouette exciting — and sometimes very swingy.
Why Play Chouette?
Chouette is:
- Highly social
- Great for teaching beginners
- Excellent for learning from stronger players
- A fun way to keep everyone involved
It’s also one of the best ways to discuss strategy, cube decisions, and checker play in real time.
Can You Play Chouette Online?
At the moment, no online backgammon platform offers true chouette play.
The format relies heavily on live discussion, multiple cubes, and flexible roles — elements that are difficult to reproduce online.
That’s why chouette remains a live backgammon tradition, usually played at clubs, tournaments, or friendly gatherings.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never played a chouette, it’s absolutely worth trying.
It’s a fantastic way to:
- Improve your game quickly
- Learn from others
- Share ideas
- And simply enjoy backgammon in a more social setting
Ask around at your local club or invite friends for a chouette session — chances are, you’ll want to play again.
May the dice — and the cubes — be with you!