Diceless Backgammon Variant

Although it may sound contradictory to the nature of the game, Backgammon can be played without dice. This Backgammon variant is suitably called Diceless Backgammon. As a matter of fact, in certain parts of Russia and the Ukraine, this Backgammon variant is even more popular than the variants with dice. Although Diceless Backgammon minimizes the chance aspect of the game, it does encourage Backgammon strategy that involves quick thinking.

The major distinguishing factors of Diceless Backgammon are:

• Both players must move their checkers in the same direction, which is counterclockwise, yet with varying opening positions.
• Hitting is not allowed in this type of Backgammon game. Hence, roll calls must be exact and every move needs to be assumed.

The kind of intellectual precision that Diceless Backgammon requires stimulates tournament play and is becoming increasingly popular.

David Carnegy - Managing Editor