Although they are far less common than regular backgammon games, there are a number of backgammon variants that players can find to play. Some of the variations of backgammon games are more popular in specific countries. It may be interesting for you to trial a new variant of backgammon if you are looking for something slightly different.

Acey-Deucy

In acey-deucy, checkers are moved around the board in the same direction as in regular backgammon games. The first difference lies in the fact that all of the checkers start off the board and enter from the other player’s home board. The second difference lies in the roll of the acey-deucy – 1-2. If you roll 1-2, you first move the 1-2, you can then pick any double you want, that is move any number four times and then you get another roll.

Hyper-Backgammon

Regular backgammon games’ rules apply except for a few differences. Each player starts with 3 checkers on points 22, 23 and 24. Hyper-backgammon makes use of the Jacoby rule which makes gammons and backgammons count for their double or triple points only if the doubling cube has been used at least once during play. Matches start at 7 points.

One Point Matches

One point matches are similar to regular backgammon games, except that the cube is not used and gammons and backgammons do not exist.

Nackgammon

Nackgammon was created by backgammon teacher, Nack Ballard. It is mostly the same as regular backgammon games except in terms of the starting positions of the checkers. In Nackgammon, instead five checkers on the midpoint and the 6-point, you put four on each. The remaining two checkers are placed on the 23-point.

Tapa

The rules of the variant known as tapa are similar to those of regular backgammon games, except that players aim to block their opponent’s pieces. Single pieces (blots) are not sent off the board when they are hit; rather the player’s checker rests on his opponent’s checker, forming a point. If players leave a blot at their home slot and it gets covered, they will almost certainly lose the game. Tapa is a backgammon variant that requires the use of strategy.

Other Backgammon Games

There are a number of other variants of backgammon games and other games that are quite different, except for the fact that they use the backgammon board and checkers. Narde is played in Kazakhstan and probably Russia with 15 checkers and checkers board. Gul Bara is a backgammon variant that is similar to the game of Narde with a few exceptions.

Then there is Feuga which uses a backgammon board and checkers with the aim of moving all of your checkers off the board, however it varies in a number of ways from the regular game of backgammon. Diceless backgammon sounds like it would be similar to regular backgammon games, however there are quite a few differences in the games besides for the lack of the use of dice. This game is popular in Russia.