Variations on Backgammon
Are you bored playing the same old backgammon game over and over again? Well, why not try one of the dozens of variations of this ancient game? Exotic versions of the game emanating from the United States, the Middle East, China and Japan continue to attract supporters across the world.
Online backgammon websites support this activity making it simple for international versions of these games to gather more players into the backgammon family.
Chouette is one of the most interesting backgammon variations in that it can be played three or more players. One person becomes the dealer or “box”, while the rest are simply called “players”. One player is elected to be captain of the players’ team. The game play proceeds as normal with players take turn to knock the box off the table. If the box wins, then they stay on as the champion. If the captain wins, then they become the box. The box and rotation order are determined by rolls of the dice. Players add their scores as they complete each round, with gamblers multiplying their score by an initial stake. Chouette’s origins are unclear, but it is most likely to have begun in France where it migrated to the southern United States.
Another simple backgammon variation is called Hypergammon. This unusual game, more a game of chance than skill, involves the use of three pieces per player. At the start of play, these counters sit one on each player’s 22, 23 and 24 point. From this point on, normal rules apply. As you will find out, as there are so many single pieces, blots start getting hit all over the place! You’ll find yourself bouncing back and forth to the bar. It’s a lot of fun, and game play can be fast and furious!
A third variation is Sugoroku, which is extremely popular in Japan where it was most probably developed. The game is played on a regular backgammon board, with the normal number of pieces and board layout. Differences occur with the fact that there are no doubles played. Throws of a double simply count as the movement of the score of one dice. There is also no bearing off, with the ultimate object of the game being to get all of one’s pieces in your own home base. Additionally, there are no primes, and no use of the doubling cube.
Give these different games a try – they will probably enhance your game, and we all know that variety is the spice of life, especially in backgammon!
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