Backgammon Alternatives with Tawula
Tired of the old traditional way of playing backgammon? Are you looking for a more challenging game that would put your backgammon skills to the test? If you are, then Tawula is the perfect backgammon variation for you.
Tawula provides you with an opportunity to hone your skills than make some money. This backgammon variation is a faster and more interesting game with a few modifications from the regular backgammon rules.
If you are a first timer to Tawula, you should bear in mind that the layout of the board and the movement of your pieces is similar to the setup of the regular backgammon game. One significant difference has something to do with the arrangement of the checkers to start a game. Instead of positioning all your checkers at the onset of the game, you will keep all but two of checkers off the board. Your aim is to ensure that the remaining checkers will be on the board prior to moving them towards tour home board.
At the onset, two dice are rolled to advance the checkers. The amount shown on the face of the dice determines the movement of the pieces. You have the option to advance your checker to a vacant point or move a couple of checkers to two vacant points based on the value shown on each die. Rolling a double means you will advance your checkers twice the pip count.
In Tawula, once you move any of your checkers to a space that is already occupied by your opponent's checkers, then a hit ensues. In this case, the checker of your opponent will be removed from that spot and placed on the bar located on the center of the board. Your opponent will then be forced to advance the piece back into the board before they can advance their other checkers. However, if they are blocked from one point, they will be allowed to advance their checker to a location on your board. They must use the dice to advance their checker onto their side and move it towards the board again. With Tawula, returning checkers back into the game will be much harder than the traditional game.
If you have the passion for backgammon, you already have the skills and training to win in Tawula. Similar to regular backgammon, your aim is to become the first player to remove your pieces form the board. However, Tawula is a game designed for fun and not for making money in competitions which explains the absence of the doubling cube.
So if you like the challenge and excitement of backgammon then sharpen your skills anew and enjoy the action of Tawula.