Backgammon has a very long history nevertheless, learning how to play backgammon is simple. It is a game of skill and one that, unfortunately, many younger people today are not all that familiar with. Still, familiarizing oneself with how to play backgammon doesn’t take very long. Thanks to the rise of the Internet, learning how to play backgammon is easier than ever before and the game of backgammon is enjoying a resurgence of popularity. You can play online, download backgammon games from the Internet, and play with other people or against the computer.
Most people are familiar with the games set up’ two players, one backgammon board, and each player gets 15 chips apiece. When learning how to play backgammon, you will find that the object of game is to move the chips from the board into your home board and finally into your winning pile. The first person to successfully clear the board of all their chips wins the game. The backgammon board is divided into four parts. When looking at the board from either one of the player’s sides, the quadrant of the backgammon board closest to you is your home board, moving clockwise, you will pass over the bar and see the other half of the backgammon board, which is referred to as the outer board. Moving clockwise again to the remaining quadrant of the board is your opponent’s home board. You will notice that each quadrant has 6 points. These are the spaces that you move onto. Although the spaces are alternating colors, each chip can move onto any colored points, the color of the chip and the color of the points do not have to correspond.
The game starts with the chips in the proper place. Each player has five pieces in the first point in their home board, the one closest to the bar. They moving clockwise again, each player gets three pieces on their side of the outer board. These are placed in the point not directly next to the line, but one away from it. On the other side of the outer board, on the point furthest away from the center line, each player puts five more pieces. Moving rightwards across the board, each player puts two pieces in the opposite player’s home board nearest to their “out” position.”
Each roll of the dice shows how many points a player is allowed to move their chips. For example, if you roll a five and a four, you can move your chips a grand total of nine points. You can move one chip four spaces and the other chip 5 spaces. You must use both of the rolls if it is legally possible for you to use them. The only caveat is that you cannot move a chip onto a space that is already occupied. If a player rolls doubles, they get double the moves, for example, if you get double 6’s, you can move 4 pieces 6 points instead of two pieces 6 points. If you have a single chip on a space and a chip from your opposing player lands on it, your piece gets sent back to the center bar and from there it has to start the journey from the other side of the board. The first person to get all their chips through the board and into the safe position wins.
Showing posts with label online backgammon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online backgammon. Show all posts
Monday, October 3, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Introduction To Online Backgammon
Online play is not much different from table play. Both sides have the same pieces, dice, and game board. To play online a game site must be located. However, that is easy to find. Most sites are free to play on but registration is required. Depending on the site, you can play against a computer or other opponents. To play online, there will be a place to click for the dice roll during your turn. Once the dice are rolled, you can move the pieces you would like, just as you would for a regular backgammon game. And the game is won the same way; get all your pieces off the board before your opponent.
The nice thing about playing online is you don’t have to play. You can just watch and learn if you want. This might be the best thing to do if you are just starting out. But when you do want to play you will be able to join in easily. And most sites have a tracking system so you know how well you are doing compared to other players.
Some sites are played for money. While it can be fun, it can also be dangerous if you are not careful. If you want to go this route, start out slow and only play for modest fees and winnings. Also remember that tournaments are played for money. These can be played against people across the country or globe depending on the hosting site. And with both money playing and tournaments the house takes a cut.
Most sites have you download part of the software before you can play. And many of the software programs only run on Windows based PCs. So unfortunately, MAC users are left out. However, other sites use a Java-script, which MAC users can use. This makes load times and lag lessen for players.
Many of the sites that offer online play are free but registration is required. Some are for members only, with a fee, but a guest can play for free with the member playing also. There are even sites to just play against a computer. This can be good to learn and get better before moving on to live people. And for those with time constraints, there are turn-based sites. Here you can play a few rounds at a time and then come back later to finish the game.
Online backgammon might have more options due to being able to play people everywhere. It is easy to learn and with many sites these days, easier to master. You don’t have to wait for someone to play with you. The Internet has made it easy to play a game that has been enjoyed for over 5000 years.
The nice thing about playing online is you don’t have to play. You can just watch and learn if you want. This might be the best thing to do if you are just starting out. But when you do want to play you will be able to join in easily. And most sites have a tracking system so you know how well you are doing compared to other players.
Some sites are played for money. While it can be fun, it can also be dangerous if you are not careful. If you want to go this route, start out slow and only play for modest fees and winnings. Also remember that tournaments are played for money. These can be played against people across the country or globe depending on the hosting site. And with both money playing and tournaments the house takes a cut.
Most sites have you download part of the software before you can play. And many of the software programs only run on Windows based PCs. So unfortunately, MAC users are left out. However, other sites use a Java-script, which MAC users can use. This makes load times and lag lessen for players.
Many of the sites that offer online play are free but registration is required. Some are for members only, with a fee, but a guest can play for free with the member playing also. There are even sites to just play against a computer. This can be good to learn and get better before moving on to live people. And for those with time constraints, there are turn-based sites. Here you can play a few rounds at a time and then come back later to finish the game.
Online backgammon might have more options due to being able to play people everywhere. It is easy to learn and with many sites these days, easier to master. You don’t have to wait for someone to play with you. The Internet has made it easy to play a game that has been enjoyed for over 5000 years.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Backgammon Online
The history of backgammon, the oldest known board game, is an interesting one that began almost 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Numerous variations of the game were adopted by other cultures throughout the history of backgammon. Archaeologists continue to discover many similar games in the ruins of ancient civilizations as they explore the intriguing history of backgammon.
The actual name for backgammon comes from a Welsh term meaning “wee battle.” However, the history of backgammon reflects many different names and versions. The aristocracy and slave population of Egypt and Greece played a similar game called, “senat.” The Romans changed the number of dice from two to three and called it “bac gamen” or “back game.” From the Roman civilization, backgammon moved to Persia, where it was again played with two dice in a game called “Takhteh Nard" or "Battle on Wood." During the time of the Crusades, the Anglo Saxon soldiers and traders played yet another version called “Tables” or “Tabula.”
Throughout the history of backgammon, the Church attempted several times to ban the game, but always failed. Cardinal Woolsey, in the 16th century, ordered all the boards burned, calling the game “the devil’s folly.” Burning the boards was useless, however, since any type of board could be drawn in dirt or sand and played with small pebbles. Dice were often handmade and were small enough to be easily concealed on a person or hidden in someone’s home. Furthermore, the English were very clever and decided to disguise the backgammon board as a folding book. Their innovative craftsmanship is still evident in the board we use today.
Edmund Hoyle, the famous writer and gamesman, documented the rules and the history of backgammon in the mid 1700’s. Colonists from England brought backgammon to their homes in America, along with chess and other board games of the times. Although the game of backgammon lost some popularity in the Victorian era, it quickly reappeared and gained strength in the 20th century. At this time, an unknown inventor devised the doubling cube, which offers players the opportunity to multiply their initial wager by the amount on the doubling cube. Of course, some strategy and experience is needed before using the doubling cube.
Tournaments, books, magazines, and clubs are now a part of the history of backgammon. The introduction of the game on the Internet has increased its popularity to an even greater extent. Backgammon is a fast-paced, challenging, and entertaining game of skill and luck.
The actual name for backgammon comes from a Welsh term meaning “wee battle.” However, the history of backgammon reflects many different names and versions. The aristocracy and slave population of Egypt and Greece played a similar game called, “senat.” The Romans changed the number of dice from two to three and called it “bac gamen” or “back game.” From the Roman civilization, backgammon moved to Persia, where it was again played with two dice in a game called “Takhteh Nard" or "Battle on Wood." During the time of the Crusades, the Anglo Saxon soldiers and traders played yet another version called “Tables” or “Tabula.”
Throughout the history of backgammon, the Church attempted several times to ban the game, but always failed. Cardinal Woolsey, in the 16th century, ordered all the boards burned, calling the game “the devil’s folly.” Burning the boards was useless, however, since any type of board could be drawn in dirt or sand and played with small pebbles. Dice were often handmade and were small enough to be easily concealed on a person or hidden in someone’s home. Furthermore, the English were very clever and decided to disguise the backgammon board as a folding book. Their innovative craftsmanship is still evident in the board we use today.
Edmund Hoyle, the famous writer and gamesman, documented the rules and the history of backgammon in the mid 1700’s. Colonists from England brought backgammon to their homes in America, along with chess and other board games of the times. Although the game of backgammon lost some popularity in the Victorian era, it quickly reappeared and gained strength in the 20th century. At this time, an unknown inventor devised the doubling cube, which offers players the opportunity to multiply their initial wager by the amount on the doubling cube. Of course, some strategy and experience is needed before using the doubling cube.
Tournaments, books, magazines, and clubs are now a part of the history of backgammon. The introduction of the game on the Internet has increased its popularity to an even greater extent. Backgammon is a fast-paced, challenging, and entertaining game of skill and luck.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Advanced Backgammon Strategies - Using the Doubling Cube
Although, the Doubling Cube is unknown to most of the backgammon casual players, it is an essential tool in advanced backgammon strategies and in money matches and tournaments.
This cube is designated for raising the stakes of the match and its introduction to the backgammon world is one of the main reasons for the rise of popularity of backgammon.
The cube has 6 faces and the numbers written on it- 2, 4, 8,16,32,64.
At the beginning of the match, the doubling cube is placed beside the board or on the Bar between the players.
Any player, who feels at any stage of the match, that he is leading sufficiently in the match, before throwing his dice, may suggest to double the stakes by placing the doubling cube with the number 2 facing up.
For example player A decided to raise the stakes.
Player B, his opponent, the player the offer is given to, after reviewing his situation, has two options:
He may refuse the offer and thus lose the game and one unit.
He may agree to double the stakes, and in this case the match continues with higher stakes.
Player B, who agreed to the offer, is now the owner of the doubling cube, meaning only him (player B) has the option to double the stakes again at any stage of the game.
If player B decides to do so, he has to do it on his turn before throwing his dice.
Now he takes the dice and places it so that the number 4 is facing up.
Player A, has now the same two options, only this time if he declines the offer he will lose two units, and if he agrees the stakes will rise to 4 times the original and the doubling cube returns to his control.
The cube can pass from player to player, each time raising the stakes.
The Crawford rule-
If you are playing a game until N- points, and your opponent is leading and reaches N-1 points, meaning he is short one point from winning the game, you are not allowed to use the Doubling cube in the following game, however, you can use the dice in the following matches if the game continues.
The reason is the weaker player will always want to raise the stakes because he has nothing to lose anymore and we want keep the use of the dice in fairness of both sides.
The Jacoby rule-
This rule is used in money games and never in match games. It decides that a backgammon or gammon may not be scored as such only if the cube has been passed and accepted. The reason behind this rule is speeding up.
The Holland rule-
The Holland rule is used in match games and decides that in post-Crawford games, the trailer can only double after both sides have played two rolls. The rule makes the free drop more valuable to the leading player but generally just confuses the issue.
Unlike the Crawford rule, this rule isn't popular, and is rarely used today.
The beavers, raccoons, otters and any other animals in the backgammon game-
These animals appear only, if wanted by both sides, in money games and never in match games.
If player A, doubles the stakes, and player B believes A is wrong and he (player B) has the advantage, B can double the stakes and keep the doubling cube on his side. For example, if A makes the initial double and puts the doubling cube on 2, B can say "Beaver", turn the cube to 4 and keep the cube at his side. If A believes B is wrong he can say "Raccoon" and turn the cube to 8. All this time, B remains the owner of the doubling cube. If B wishes to raise the stakes once more, he only needs to say another silly name (the animal's name is a controversy among players) and so on.
The Chouette-
Chouette is a version of backgammon for more than 2 players. One of the players is the "Box" and plays against the rest of the group on a single board.
Another player is the "Captain" of the group, who throws the dice and makes the moves for the group playing against the box.
If the Box wins, the Captain goes to the back of the line and the next player becomes the Captain of the team. If the Captain wins, he becomes the new Box, and the old Box goes to the end of the line.
The rules regarding the ability of the group to consult with the Captain changes from
version to version. In some versions of the Chouette the group can freely give advice to the Captain, and in other versions, consulting is strictly forbidden.
The compromised version is the most popular- consulting is legitimate only after the dice have been thrown.
Originally, Chouette was played with a single die .The only decisions that players other than the Captain were allowed to make on their own was concerning the takes: If the Box had doubled, each player on the team could take or drop independently. Today, a multiple-cube Chouette is more popular; each player on the team has his own cube, and all doubling, dropping, and taking decisions are made independently by all players.
This cube is designated for raising the stakes of the match and its introduction to the backgammon world is one of the main reasons for the rise of popularity of backgammon.
The cube has 6 faces and the numbers written on it- 2, 4, 8,16,32,64.
At the beginning of the match, the doubling cube is placed beside the board or on the Bar between the players.
Any player, who feels at any stage of the match, that he is leading sufficiently in the match, before throwing his dice, may suggest to double the stakes by placing the doubling cube with the number 2 facing up.
For example player A decided to raise the stakes.
Player B, his opponent, the player the offer is given to, after reviewing his situation, has two options:
He may refuse the offer and thus lose the game and one unit.
He may agree to double the stakes, and in this case the match continues with higher stakes.
Player B, who agreed to the offer, is now the owner of the doubling cube, meaning only him (player B) has the option to double the stakes again at any stage of the game.
If player B decides to do so, he has to do it on his turn before throwing his dice.
Now he takes the dice and places it so that the number 4 is facing up.
Player A, has now the same two options, only this time if he declines the offer he will lose two units, and if he agrees the stakes will rise to 4 times the original and the doubling cube returns to his control.
The cube can pass from player to player, each time raising the stakes.
The Crawford rule-
If you are playing a game until N- points, and your opponent is leading and reaches N-1 points, meaning he is short one point from winning the game, you are not allowed to use the Doubling cube in the following game, however, you can use the dice in the following matches if the game continues.
The reason is the weaker player will always want to raise the stakes because he has nothing to lose anymore and we want keep the use of the dice in fairness of both sides.
The Jacoby rule-
This rule is used in money games and never in match games. It decides that a backgammon or gammon may not be scored as such only if the cube has been passed and accepted. The reason behind this rule is speeding up.
The Holland rule-
The Holland rule is used in match games and decides that in post-Crawford games, the trailer can only double after both sides have played two rolls. The rule makes the free drop more valuable to the leading player but generally just confuses the issue.
Unlike the Crawford rule, this rule isn't popular, and is rarely used today.
The beavers, raccoons, otters and any other animals in the backgammon game-
These animals appear only, if wanted by both sides, in money games and never in match games.
If player A, doubles the stakes, and player B believes A is wrong and he (player B) has the advantage, B can double the stakes and keep the doubling cube on his side. For example, if A makes the initial double and puts the doubling cube on 2, B can say "Beaver", turn the cube to 4 and keep the cube at his side. If A believes B is wrong he can say "Raccoon" and turn the cube to 8. All this time, B remains the owner of the doubling cube. If B wishes to raise the stakes once more, he only needs to say another silly name (the animal's name is a controversy among players) and so on.
The Chouette-
Chouette is a version of backgammon for more than 2 players. One of the players is the "Box" and plays against the rest of the group on a single board.
Another player is the "Captain" of the group, who throws the dice and makes the moves for the group playing against the box.
If the Box wins, the Captain goes to the back of the line and the next player becomes the Captain of the team. If the Captain wins, he becomes the new Box, and the old Box goes to the end of the line.
The rules regarding the ability of the group to consult with the Captain changes from
version to version. In some versions of the Chouette the group can freely give advice to the Captain, and in other versions, consulting is strictly forbidden.
The compromised version is the most popular- consulting is legitimate only after the dice have been thrown.
Originally, Chouette was played with a single die .The only decisions that players other than the Captain were allowed to make on their own was concerning the takes: If the Box had doubled, each player on the team could take or drop independently. Today, a multiple-cube Chouette is more popular; each player on the team has his own cube, and all doubling, dropping, and taking decisions are made independently by all players.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)