Backgammon from Different Civilizations
Some gambling games, like poker, have so many variants - Texas Hold'em and Omaha just to name a few. This is also the case with Backgammon. Because it is an ancient gambling game, it would be impossible for it not to have any other variations. Here are just some of the types of backgammon played by gambling players all throughout history.
Brädspel
This backgammon game originated from Sweden, and it is also known as the Swedish Tables.
This backgammon game is distinct from the others because there are so many ways by which a gambling player may win, other than just bearing off points. One way is to form the pattern that is required, much like the concept of bingo. Another way is to hit more than enough markers and send them to the bar. If there are a lot of markers in the bar, it would be harder for the other gambling player to reenter them to the board.
Unlike the usual backgammon game, bradspel does not allow doubling of stakes. Thus, there will be no need for a doubling cube.
Gul Bara
This Backgammon game is of Arabic decent. You may not be familiar with this name but you may be more familiar with Crazy Narde and the Rosespring Backgammon. If you are, then do not worry, they are all one and the same thing.
Old English
Obviously, this type of Backgammon came from England. In this type, gambling players may only put five markers per point, thus limiting their move. A lot of gambling players love playing this backgammon since it shows the versatility in tactics among gambling players. It separates the novice from the experts.
Runte
In this another type of backgammon, gambling players may move their markers to the front or back, provided that the moves are limited inside the boundaries of their home board. Gambling players who are looking for snatching gammons and backgammons may find this type interesting because it has increased chances of producing such wins.
Tavli
This backgammon game originated from Greece. The term tavli stems out from the term tavla. Tavla means table or board in Greek, which is also the case in Filipino language. Greek gambling players played tavli three different ways. One is the Portes in which gambling players may not double the stakes, plus winning a backgammon is the same with winning a gammon. This means that there will be no triple win, however there are double wins.