What is Tavli?
The Greek way to play backgammon — and the basics every game shares.
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One match, three games
A Tavli match plays Portes, then Plakoto, then Fevga, and starts over until someone reaches the target: 1, 3, 5 or 7 points. You can also play a match of just one game — or OneTwo, which is always played on its own.
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The board
Each player has 15 checkers and two dice. We number the points from your side: 1 is the furthest from home, 24 the last one before your tray. Points 19–24 are your home quarter (gold box). Each game's page shows its own board.
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The dice
Move one checker for each die, or one checker with both. Doubles are played four times. If you can use both dice you must; if only one fits, play the higher one. You can undo moves until your turn is done.
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Who starts
A match begins with an opening roll: each player rolls one die, and the higher one plays both dice as rolled. After that, the winner of the last game starts.
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Collecting
Once all 15 checkers are in your home quarter, you collect them into your tray (bearing off). If a die is bigger than your furthest checker needs, it collects that checker. OneTwo is the exception: exact numbers only.
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Points & conceding
A win is 1 point, or 2 if your opponent collected none. You can also offer to concede the game as a single or a double, and your opponent accepts or refuses.
Created by Dimitris for all the Tavli fans out there
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