Propositions – Backgammon Variants
In these Backgammon games known as Propositions, the rules for each of the opposing sides are different. Consequently, the rules tend to favor a certain side due to the fact that each player plays according to rules that differ from his opponent's and that's just what makes Propositions intriguing – the discovery of who has the advantage and how much of a benefit it actually is.
Due to the unevenness of these rules, players have 2 options that will ensure a fair Backgammon game:
- Players can switch sides in order for neither of them to have a lasting benefit.
- If the participants are playing Backgammon for money, they can simply arrange the stakes in accordance with the benefit.
Ace-Mid Switch Backgammon Variant
Ace-Mid Switch originated when a Backgammon player inadvertently set up the Backgammon board the wrong way, with White placing 5 checkers on Black's 1st point and 2 checkers on Black's 12th point. This Backgammon variant offers a great opportunity to sharpen the skills of holding and back games.
Handicap Matches Backgammon Variant
In Handicap Matches, Backgammon players have a 5-point match with no doubling cube. White begins with 4 points while Black begins with 0.
Basically, Handicap Matches players play according to the regular rules of Backgammon, but there is 1 exception: Any time White rolls a 1, he misses a turn meaning that the opponent will play it in his place. The question that makes Handicap Matches unique is if or how the 4 point advantage White has at the beginning of the Backgammon game balances out with his inability to play 1's.
Two Rolls versus Choice Backgammon Variant
In Two Rolls versus Choice Backgammon, White plays any roll he desires by simply declaring his roll and playing it - except for doubles. Contrarily, Black plays 2 times by rolling as usual, but for each of his turns he plays twice.
The player with 2 rolls per turn possesses a significant advantage for 2 reasons:
- Extra rolls
- Doubles count
- Easier to hit blots and create primes and blocks
In turn, Two Rolls versus Choice entails fascinating Backgammon strategies.
Snake Backgammon Variant
In Snake, White begins with the regular 15 checker set up, while Black begins with 9 checkers on the bar and 2 checkers on White's 1st point, 2nd point and 3rd point, meaning that the rest of Black's checkers are on White's board.
Hence, although the rules of Snake are identical to those of regular Backgammon, the strategy tends to vary due to Black's unconventional arrangement. Nevertheless, Snake strengthens one's extreme back game.
David Carnegy - Managing Editor
