Nackgammon Introduction

Nackgammon is one of the most popular of the many backgammon variants played around the world. It was invented by Nack Ballard, one of the great modern backgammon players, and it is known as a deeper, more strategic version of the standard game.

Starting position

Nackgammon changes only the setup. Each player starts with:

• 2 checkers on his 24-point (as in backgammon);
• 2 checkers on his 23-point (new);
• 4 checkers on his 13-point, the midpoint (one fewer than in backgammon);
• 3 checkers on his 8-point (as in backgammon);
• 4 checkers on his 6-point (one fewer than in backgammon).

In other words, one checker is taken from the midpoint and one from the 6-point, and both are placed on the 23-point, which is the opponent's 2-point. The total is still 15 checkers.

How it changes the game

With four back checkers instead of two, each player has much more presence in the opponent's home board. Escaping all of them takes time, and anchors are easier to make. As a result, priming games, holding games and back games are at the heart of nackgammon, and games usually last noticeably longer than in standard backgammon. Quick blitzes are harder to pull off, because the defender has so many checkers back.

Rules

Apart from the starting position, the rules are the same as in backgammon. The doubling cube is used, the Jacoby rule is common in money play, and the Crawford rule applies in matches.

Why play it

Nackgammon is a true thinker's game. It demands a good grasp of cube strategy, priming battles, back games and holding games. Because these complex positions come up so often, playing nackgammon is an excellent way to practice them. Some players like to mix in a nackgammon game every so often between regular games. Give it a try: the skills you build will carry straight over to your standard game.