| If you haven't tried Tavla, you're sure to | | | | |
| enjoy the game commonly known as Turkish | | | | In Tavla the player is unable to move a |
| backgammon. Tavla is an exciting and | | | | checker onto a point already occupied by one |
| fast-paced version of backgammon with some | | | | of his own checkers. He is also unable to |
| subtle differences to make it unique. It is | | | | move to a point with two or more of his |
| the most popular in Turkey and is quickly | | | | opponent's checkers. However, if a point is |
| gaining a fan base worldwide. | | | | occupied by just one of his opponent's |
| | | | checkers, he can "hit" this checker and |
| Unlike backgammon, Tavla does not start with | | | | remove it from the board. His opponent's |
| all checkers on the board. Instead, a player | | | | checker will be placed on the bar area in the |
| begins a game with two checkers placed | | | | centre of the board. The player who has lost |
| opposite his opponent's at the furthermost | | | | his checker must play it back into the game |
| right point. His remaining 13 checkers are | | | | by rolling the die before any of his other |
| kept off the board. So while the aim of the | | | | checkers can be played. |
| game is the same as that of a backgammon | | | | |
| game, which is to be the first player to bear | | | | Other checker movements in Tavla (also know |
| your checkers off the board, you begin Tavla | | | | as Tavli in Greece) follow standard |
| (also know as Tawula in parts of the Middle | | | | backgammon rules. A player must move his |
| East) in quite a different way. | | | | checkers the total amount shown on the two |
| | | | die, or one checker per die. For example, if |
| To decide who will take the first turn, both | | | | you roll a three and a two, you must move one |
| players will begin a game by rolling one die. | | | | checker three spaces and a second checker two |
| The player with the highest number then | | | | spaces. Or you may choose to move one checker |
| throws both die to take his turn. He is | | | | a total of five spaces. If you roll a double, |
| unable to play his two checkers already on | | | | you must move your checkers twice the total |
| the board until his other 13 checkers have | | | | shown on both die the same as you do in |
| been introduced into the game. To do this, | | | | backgammon. |
| the player must roll the die to enter the | | | | |
| checker onto the corresponding point on the | | | | At the end of a round of Tavla you're ready |
| board. For example, if he rolls 4-3, he can | | | | to remove your checkers from the board. This |
| bring one of his outside checkers onto the | | | | also relies on the die coming up with the |
| board and place it at either his four point | | | | right numbers. All fifteen checkers must be |
| or his three point. He can then use the | | | | moved to your home board before bearing off. |
| second die to move his checker a second time, | | | | The player who removes all of his checkers |
| or use it to move another checker which is | | | | from the backgammon board first is the winner |
| already on the board. | | | | of Tavla. |