Hypergammon rules
December 3rd, 2006
As online backgammon popularity is increasing by the day it is a good moment to revisit hypergammon, one of the most popular variants of backgammon. In this article we will go through hypergammon rules and strategy of this very fast and exciting game.
Hypergammon starting position
The greatest single difference between hypergammon and backgammon is the number of checkers available on both sides. While in backgammon each player plays with 15 men, hypergammon uses only three per player. Obviously starting position is different as well, illustrated in the picture below.
In hypergammon the purpose of the game is the same as in backgammon; the winner is the player who first manages to bear off all checkers. Rolling the dice, hitting, entering from the bar and bearing off follow the rules of normal backgammon.
The doubling cube
The doubling cube is in use in hypergammon and forms an important element in hypergammon. Hypergammon is a fast game and the lead can easily swing from one player to the other, often making it a difficult decision to take or pass the cube and consequently adding to the excitement.
The Crawford rule
The Crawford rule is normally in use also in hypergammon. This rule dictates that if in a match either player comes within one point of winning the match, the next game is played without a doubling cube. If the match didn’t end after the game (i.e. the trailing player won the game) the cube is in use again in the next match.
Hypergammon strategy
Due to the nature of the game hypergammon relies more heavily on luck than backgammon. It is, however, quite possible to follow clear strategical guidelines, which can make the difference between a win or a loss. Our Hypergammon strategy article discusses basic and advanced hypergammon strategies in more detail, but essentially there are four basic strategy elements in hypergammon:
- Hit!
- Focus on making an advanced outer board point.
- Don’t break your outer board point until it’s safe to do so.
- Roll large doubles.
Both players need to take considerable risks in order to safely bear in their checkers on their home boards. Obviously hitting your opponent’s checkers is a huge setback for him and is a key priority in hypergammon. Advanced outer board points are also of great importance for being able to safely bear in your checkers. Finally, the player who rolls large doubles is also normally the winner - even more so in hypergammon than in backgammon. So use your mental power and make those dice end the right way up!
Conclusion
Hypergammon is often a quick but a very exciting experience. Throw in a few bucks and feel your heart racing in the beat of the game when the outcome is decided only in the last turn or two. With it’s fresh approach hypergammon should be available on all online backgammon sites, but of the current quality sites it is only available at BackgammonMasters.
Play hypergammon at BackgammonMasters.
