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Tavli

Tavli is a traditional Greek board game played on a backgammon board, encompassing three primary variants—Portes, Plakoto, and Fevga—that emphasize strategic movement, blocking, and trapping of checkers using shared dice, and it remains a cornerstone of social recreation in Greece.^[1]^[2] Originating from ancient Mesopotamia around 5,000 years ago, the game evolved through Egyptian and Persian influences before reaching Greece over 2,000 years ago, where it is referenced in works by Homer, Plato, Herodotus, and Sophocles as a favored pastime.^[3]^[4] In Greek culture, tavli—meaning "board" in Greek—symbolizes leisurely social interaction, commonly played in kafeneia (traditional coffee houses) alongside coffee or ouzo, fostering camaraderie across generations and often accompanied by light-hearted banter or invocations to gods like Aphrodite for favorable dice rolls.^[2]^[3] The three variants form a match typically played to 3, 5, or 7 points, with the winner of each game starting the next; there is no doubling cube, and play proceeds rapidly using a single pair of shared dice, where the highest initial roll determines the first player.^[1]^[2] In Portes (meaning "doors"), gameplay mirrors Western backgammon, focusing on bearing off all 15 checkers while avoiding capture.^[1]^[4] Plakoto ("upside down") introduces trapping mechanics, allowing a single checker to cover and immobilize an opponent's piece on the same point.^[1]^[2] Fevga ("bridge"), of Turkish origin, permits blocking points with one checker, prioritizing positional control over direct confrontation.^[1]^[4] A standard win earns 1 point, but 2 points if the opponent has borne off no checkers, reflecting the game's emphasis on complete dominance.^[1]^[2]

Introduction

Definition and Origins

Tavli is a compendium board game for two players, consisting of three sequential variants—Portes, Plakoto, and Fevga—played on a backgammon-style board.^[1]^[5] The core objective across these variants is for a player to be the first to bear off all 15 of their pieces from the board.^[1] Unlike standard backgammon, Tavli does not use a doubling cube, emphasizing straightforward play without stakes escalation.^[1] The term "Tavli" derives from the Greek word for "board," reflecting its focus on table games played on a shared setup.^[1]^[5] It holds a prominent place as Greece's national board game, commonly enjoyed in kafeneia (traditional coffee houses) and among communities in the Balkans, often accompanied by social rituals like sharing coffee or ouzo.^[5] Conceptually, Tavli traces its roots to ancient table games originating in Mesopotamia around 5,000 years ago, with early precursors involving dice and piece movement on marked boards.^[3]

Equipment and Setup

Tavli is played on a standard backgammon board featuring 24 narrow triangular points arranged in four quadrants of six points each, separated by a central bar that divides the board into two sides.^[1] Each quadrant represents the outer board and home board for the players, with points numbered 1 through 24 from each player's perspective.^[1] Each player employs 15 checkers, typically in contrasting colors such as black and white, along with a single shared pair of six-sided dice; a doubling bar, common in Western backgammon, is included on the board but remains unused in Tavli gameplay.^[6]^[1] Traditional Tavli boards are crafted from fine woods like rosewood or walnut, often featuring inlaid designs, while checkers are made from Galalith—a durable, synthetic material resembling ivory—or solid wood for a premium feel.^[7] Modern sets frequently incorporate folding mechanisms with built-in storage slots for checkers, dice, and accessories to enhance portability and convenience.^[6] The initial setup varies by variant. In Portes, each player's 15 checkers are positioned as follows: two on the 24-point (opponent's 1-point), five on the 13-point (opponent's 12-point), three on the 8-point (opponent's 17-point), and five on the 6-point (opponent's 19-point); Plakoto and Fevga employ different starting configurations.^[8]^[9]^[10]^[1]

History

Ancient Roots

The origins of Tavli trace back to ancient Mesopotamian board games, particularly the Royal Game of Ur, dating to approximately 2600 BCE. This Sumerian race game, excavated from the Royal Tombs of Ur, involved players moving pieces along a track based on dice rolls while capturing opponents' pieces, establishing core mechanics of movement and confrontation that influenced later variants.^[11] Archaeological finds, including wooden boards, tetrahedral dice, and counters, confirm its use in elite Sumerian society, with similar race-and-capture elements appearing in subsequent Near Eastern cultures.^[12] From Mesopotamia, these games evolved through Persian influences, where the backgammon family emerged around 2000 BCE, as evidenced by boards from the Jiroft civilization featuring three rows of twelve fields divided into groups of six—a layout mirroring modern backgammon structures.^[13] The Persian game nard, formalized in the Sasanian era (3rd–7th centuries CE) under figures like Ardašir I or Bozorgmehr, incorporated two dice and 24 points, spreading to Byzantine and Ottoman regions and shaping regional tables games.^[13] Persian tradition linked nard to cosmological symbolism, but its practical mechanics—racing pieces home while blocking foes—directly prefigured Tavli's precursors.^[14] In the Roman Empire, the game manifested as tabula around the 1st century CE, a direct evolution using two dice on a 24-point board, with rules nearly identical to backgammon as described in later Byzantine texts.^[11] Archaeological evidence supports this lineage: dice and board fragments from Egypt (importing the Royal Game of Ur during Dynasties 17–20, ca. 1580–1070 BCE), Persia (Šahr-e Sōkta wooden board with dice, ca. 2000 BCE), and Greece (Hellenistic-era race game markers indicating similar play).^[12]^[13] The Byzantine Empire, with its Greek-speaking populace, further refined tabula—termed "tavli" from the Latin "tabula"—integrating it into Eastern Mediterranean culture and laying foundational influences for modern Greek table games like Tavli.^[11] Tavli thus connects to the broader backgammon family through this shared ancient heritage.

Modern Evolution in Greece

Tavli emerged as a distinct Greek variant of backgammon during the Ottoman era, as the game—known regionally as tavla—gained widespread popularity across the empire and was adapted within Greek communities under Ottoman rule.^[15]^[16] This period marked the integration of the game into everyday Greek social life, distinguishing it from broader Middle Eastern and European forms through local rules and customs.^[16] In the 20th century, Tavli underwent standardization through its central role in cafes (kafeneia) and social clubs, particularly in Athens and the Greek islands, where it served as a staple activity alongside coffee and conversation.^[17] These venues fostered consistent play of the three main variants—Portes, Plakoto, and Fevga—solidifying uniform rules and etiquette that emphasized quick turns and verbal banter, embedding the game deeply in urban and insular Greek culture. Tavli maintained its popularity through the post-war period, becoming a symbol of Greek leisure and hospitality.^[3] In recent decades, including as of 2025, tavli has seen organized competitive play through events like the Greek Grand Prix International Backgammon Championship, blending traditional rules with modern tournament formats.^[18] Since the 2010s, Tavli has adapted to digital platforms through online versions and mobile apps, enabling global access while adhering strictly to traditional rules and preserving the game's social and strategic essence.^[19] These adaptations, such as iTavli and Palamedes Tavli, have introduced AI opponents and multiplayer features, ensuring the continued relevance of Tavli among younger generations in Greece and the diaspora.^[20]

Core Rules

Objective and Basic Mechanics

Tavli is a family of board games played on a backgammon board, where the primary objective shared across its variants—Portes, Plakoto, and Fevga—is for each player to move all 15 of their checkers around the board to their home board and bear them off before the opponent does the same.^[1]^[6] The game emphasizes strategic positioning and timing, with players alternating turns to advance their checkers along the 24-point board (directions vary by variant: opposing in Portes and Plakoto, but the same in Fevga).^[1]^[21] A basic turn consists of rolling two six-sided dice, which are shared between the players and rolled by hand directly onto the board, with the results dictating the number of points each checker can move.^[1]^[6] Players must use each die's value to move one checker the corresponding number of points, or they may combine the dice values to move a single checker the sum of the pips, provided legal moves are available; if unable to move using a die, it is forfeited, but all possible moves must be made if feasible.^[1]^[21] The player who wins the previous game (or the higher initial die roll in the first game) begins the turn by rolling both dice, and subsequent rolls occur immediately after the opponent's move completes, with invalid rolls—such as those made prematurely (before the opponent completes their move)—requiring a reroll.^[6]^[21] Bearing off begins only after all 15 checkers have entered the player's home board (the six points closest to them), at which point a checker on a point corresponding to or beyond the rolled die value may be removed from the board instead of moved.^[1]^[6] If a checker is outside the home board, it must first be brought in before bearing off can proceed, and exact rolls are required for points beyond the highest die value unless a lower checker allows flexibility.^[1] The first player to successfully bear off all checkers wins the game and scores one point, but if they do so before the opponent has borne off any checkers, it results in a gammon, awarding two points.^[1]^[21] Penalties arise from situations where checkers are blocked or captured by the opponent, potentially preventing legal moves and contributing to game-ending conditions like gammons, as an immobilized position can allow the opponent to bear off unhindered.^[1]^[6] In such cases, if a player cannot make any moves with the rolled dice, the turn is passed without penalty beyond the lost opportunity, heightening the risk of the opponent achieving a decisive lead.^[21]

Dice and Movement Principles

Tavli, like its backgammon antecedents, employs two standard six-sided dice shared between players to dictate movement. To initiate play in the first game, each player rolls one die, with the higher roll determining the first player, who then rolls both dice to commence their turn; in subsequent games within a match, the winner of the prior game rolls first.^[22] The dice values indicate the number of points, or pips, each checker must advance, with players required to use both numbers if possible—either by moving separate checkers by each die's value or combining them to advance a single checker the total sum, provided all intermediate points are open.^[23] If only one number can be played legally, the higher value must be used, emphasizing the obligation to maximize movement within the constraints of the board.^[24] Movement proceeds along the 24-point board (in opposing directions in Portes and Plakoto, but the same direction in Fevga), with starting positions and paths varying by variant.^[25] Checkers may stack indefinitely on unoccupied points or points held by friendly pieces, forming barriers, but cannot land on points occupied by two or more opposing checkers, which are considered blocked; landing on a single opponent checker is prohibited in some variants but permitted in others under specific conditions.^[26] This blocking mechanic promotes strategic positioning while preventing direct occupation of heavily defended points. When doubles are rolled—both dice showing the same number—the player effectively plays that value four times, allowing up to four separate moves of the indicated pips, distributed across one or more checkers as feasible, without granting an additional roll beyond the turn.^[23] In the bearing-off phase, once all checkers have entered the home board (the final six points), players remove checkers by rolling exact values corresponding to the points occupied; a roll higher than the highest occupied point allows removal from that highest point, but lower rolls without matching checkers require moving a checker within the board if possible.^[25] These principles ensure fluid yet constrained progression, common to all Tavli variants, fostering tactical depth through dice variability.^[6]

Game Variants

Portes

Portes, the first variant in the traditional Tavli sequence, closely resembles Western backgammon in its core mechanics but incorporates distinct rules tailored to Greek play conventions.^[8] The game is played on a standard backgammon board with 24 points divided into four quadrants, using 15 checkers per player and a single pair of six-sided dice shared between opponents.^[8] Each player begins with two checkers on their opponent's one-point (the point adjacent to the bear-off area), five checkers on their opponent's 12-point (the far point), three checkers on their own eight-point (in the outer board), and five checkers on their own six-point (near the home board).^[8] Players move their checkers in opposite directions around the board, aiming to bear them off from their home board (points 1 through 6).^[8] Movement follows shared Tavli principles, where checkers advance according to the dice rolls, either separately or in combination, with doubles allowing four moves of the rolled number, and players required to use all possible dice values if feasible.^[1] A key feature of Portes is the ability to hit an opponent's single checker, known as a blot, by landing on its point, which sends the hit checker to the bar and requires it to re-enter from there.^[8] Hit checkers must be re-entered into the opponent's home board (points 19 through 24 for the player entering from the bar) on open points matching the dice rolls, with as many as possible entered before completing the turn; if entry is blocked, the remainder of the dice are lost.^[8] This rule applies uniformly across the home board points and encourages players to build defensive structures rather than opportunistic raids.^[27] The objective is to be the first to bear off all 15 checkers, which requires first moving them entirely into the home board and then removing them sequentially from points 1 through 6 based on dice rolls (higher numbers bearing off from deeper points if lower ones are clear).^[8] Bearing off follows precise rules: a roll matching a point with checkers allows removal from that point, while higher rolls can remove from the highest occupied point if lower ones are empty, but exact rolls are mandatory when possible.^[8] A standard win, where the opponent has borne off at least one checker, scores one point; however, if the loser has borne off none, it results in a gammon, awarding double points to emphasize the importance of early bearing off progress.^[8] Unlike Western backgammon, Portes does not use a doubling cube, and backgammons (where the loser has checkers in the winner's home or on the bar) are not scored separately, keeping the focus on racing and contact play.^[8] The game begins with each player rolling one die to determine the starter, who then rerolls both for their first turn, potentially allowing a double on the opening move.^[1]

Plakoto

Plakoto is a variant of tavli played on a standard backgammon board with 15 checkers per player, where the objective is to move all checkers around the board into the home board and bear them off, similar to other tavli games. Unlike other variants, all 15 checkers for each player begin stacked on the opponent's one-point—the 24-point for white and the 1-point for black—creating a congested starting position that emphasizes early movement and positioning. Players alternate turns using a single pair of dice, with the higher initial roll determining the first player, and checkers move in opposite directions around the board.^[28]^[9] The core mechanic of plakoto is pinning, which replaces hitting found in other variants. When a player lands on a point occupied by a single opponent's checker, the moving checker is placed on top, immobilizing the opponent's checker beneath it; the pinned checker cannot move until all overlying checkers are removed. Multiple checkers can stack atop a pinned one, further securing the pin, and a point occupied by two or more of a player's own checkers—or even a single checker atop a pinned opponent—becomes blocked, preventing the opponent from landing or moving through it. Stacking is a key defensive strategy, with no limit on the number of checkers permitted on a single point to form robust blocks. This pinning system fosters a static, contact-oriented game where immobilizing opponents is prioritized over aggressive removal.^[28]^[29]^[9] A special winning condition enhances the emphasis on pinning: if a player pins the opponent's last remaining checker—the "mother" checker—on its starting one-point before it can move, the pinned player loses two points in the match, doubling the standard one-point loss for a normal bear-off victory. This occurs only if the mother is trapped prior to leaving its origin; mutual pinning of both mothers results in a draw. Bearing off follows standard principles once checkers reach the home board, but the pinning and blocking dynamics often prolong games by trapping opponents in vulnerable positions. Plakoto's rules promote defensive play, with primes—consecutive blocked points—proving particularly effective for controlling board space.^[28]^[29]^[9]

Fevga

Fevga represents the culminating variant in the Tavli series, emphasizing a non-confrontational "running" style of play where opponents advance their pieces along parallel paths around the board without opportunities for hitting or immobilizing one another. Both players direct their movements counterclockwise, starting from opposite ends of the board, which fosters a race-like dynamic focused on swift progression rather than disruption. This setup distinguishes Fevga from contact-heavy variants like Plakoto, promoting fluid advancement over strategic denial.^[10]^[30] The game begins with all fifteen checkers for each player stacked on their respective 24-point, located at diagonally opposite corners to facilitate independent travel. A key restriction prohibits full blocking: while a single opponent's checker occupies and controls a point—barring the other player from landing there—players cannot form a six-point prime within their starting quadrant (points 19-24) or entirely obstruct the opponent's options, mandating that at least one legal move remains available after each turn. Additionally, the initial move requires advancing the first checker past the opponent's starting stack before relocating any others, ensuring early board opening and preventing stagnation. Dice rolls dictate movements to open points or over empty intermediates, with doubles permitting four uses of the number, aligning with broader Tavli principles for turn resolution.^[10]^[31]^[30] Bearing off proceeds once all checkers reach the home table (points 1-6), using exact rolls or advancing inner checkers as needed. The absence of captures and enforced unblocking accelerates gameplay, often resulting in quicker resolutions compared to the more tactical Portes or Plakoto, with the first to fully bear off claiming victory.^[32]^[10]^[30]

Match Play and Scoring

Sequence of Play

A Tavli match integrates the three variants—Portes, Plakoto, and Fevga—into a structured sequence, always beginning with Portes, followed by Plakoto, and then Fevga, with the cycle repeating as necessary until one player reaches the target score of 5 or 7 points.^[8]^[33] This fixed order ensures a balanced progression through the games' distinct mechanics, emphasizing both speed and blocking strategies across the match.^[5] To initiate the first game, each player rolls a single die, and the player with the higher number starts, immediately rolling both dice for their opening turn; ties result in rerolls until resolved.^[8]^[5] For each subsequent game, the winner of the prior variant takes the first turn, maintaining momentum and psychological advantage without altering the board's physical orientation or equipment.^[8] Although the board itself is not reset to an identical configuration, the checkers are repositioned according to the specific starting setup of the next variant, such as clustering all pieces on the 1- and 24-points for Plakoto or placing them in opposite corners for Fevga.^[9]^[10] Matches unfold as a series of these sequential games, typically allowing brief pauses between variants that encourage social interaction, such as conversation over coffee in traditional Greek settings.^[5] The overall structure promotes continuous play within the cycle, with the match concluding immediately upon one player attaining the required points, declaring them the victor.^[10]

Point Calculation

In Tavli, the scoring system awards points based on the outcome of each individual game within the match, with a standard win granting 1 point to the victor. A gammon, occurring when the winner bears off all their checkers while the opponent has borne off none, awards 2 points regardless of whether the opponent's remaining checkers are on the bar or in the winner's home board. Unlike standard backgammon, there is no separate backgammon scoring for 3 points; all such decisive wins are valued at 2 points across the variants. No doubling cube is used, keeping stakes fixed without escalation options.^[8]^[9]^[10] Each of the three Tavli variants—Portes, Plakoto, and Fevga—follows this 1- or 2-point structure for wins, but Plakoto includes a special double condition. In Plakoto, pinning the opponent's "mother" checker—the last piece on their starting point (position 1 for white or 24 for black)—before it moves ends the game immediately and awards 2 points to the pinner, provided their own mother has already moved; if both mothers are pinned simultaneously, the game ties with no points awarded. Portes and Fevga lack this pinning rule, relying solely on the gammon condition for doubles. In all variants, the match continues in a cycle (typically Portes followed by Plakoto and Fevga, repeating as needed) until one player reaches the target score.^[9]^[34] Target scores vary by context: casual play often aims for 5 points, while formal or competitive matches target 7 points, with 3 points used rarely in shorter sessions. These targets ensure balanced matches without the complexity of cube-influenced stakes, emphasizing skill in the core rules over risk management.^[34]^[1]

Strategies and Tactics

General Approaches

In Tavli, general approaches to gameplay emphasize principles that transcend the specific rules of its variants, drawing on the shared mechanics of checker movement, blocking or trapping where applicable, and bearing off to optimize outcomes across matches. Players must navigate the inherent randomness of dice rolls while making calculated decisions that balance progression and defense, particularly with the single pair of shared dice influencing both players' moves. Risk management is a cornerstone of effective Tavli play, requiring players to weigh safe, incremental advances against bolder maneuvers that could lead to gammons—doubled points awarded when an opponent fails to bear off any checkers. For instance, in variants like Portes, aggressive actions to disrupt opponents can accelerate one's own bearing off but risks exposing vulnerabilities that invite retaliation, potentially resulting in a gammon loss if the opponent capitalizes with a strong counter. Skilled players mitigate this by assessing pip counts and board control early, opting for conservative positioning when trailing to avoid high-volatility situations, as exemplified in priming strategies where overextension can lead to setbacks and pip waste. This balance is crucial in preventing gammons, which can swing match scores dramatically in a typical 7-point game.^[35] Position control involves prioritizing the construction of a solid home board prime during the opening and midgame phases to restrict opponent mobility and create safe harbors for one's checkers. An early focus on making consecutive points, such as the 5- and 4-points in the home board, forms barriers that hinder opponent progress and facilitate bearing off, giving a significant edge in races or defensive standoffs. In positions where both players vie for control, the leader in pip count often invests in anchors—secure points in the opponent's home territory—to maintain flexibility and threaten disruptions, ensuring that even suboptimal rolls can be turned into positional gains. This approach not only solidifies one's structure but also forces the opponent into inefficient moves, such as splitting checkers prematurely.^[35] Dice efficiency centers on maximizing the utility of each roll, particularly by leveraging high numbers for rapid bearing off and adapting to doubles for multi-move advantages. High rolls like 6-5 or 6-4 are ideally used to advance outer checkers toward the home board or clear inner points, minimizing idle checkers and pip waste in the endgame. When doubles occur—a roughly 1-in-6 probability per turn (approximately 16.67%)—players should prioritize moves that build blocks or primes, or advance racing positions, over mere progression; for example, a double 4 might be used to slot key points or distribute checkers to maintain momentum. This efficiency is amplified in Tavli's shared dice setup, where players must also consider how the roll affects the opponent, preventing stagnation and exploiting vulnerabilities.^[36] A unique aspect of Tavli strategy arises from the shared dice, requiring players to anticipate opponent uses of the same roll and plan moves that limit their options while maximizing one's own. Research on AI match play indicates that the traditional sequence of Portes, Plakoto, then Fevga provides a balanced progression, allowing adaptation across variant differences.^[35] Psychological elements play a subtle yet impactful role, with techniques like feigning suboptimal plays to induce opponent errors by simulating weakness or overcommitment. In variants with confrontation mechanics, such as Portes, a player might hesitate on a move to lure the opponent into an aggressive response, only to counter effectively. Such tactics exploit human tendencies toward overconfidence, particularly in holding or backgame positions where the bluffing player appears disadvantaged, forcing rushed decisions that waste rolls or expose positions. Such tactics are most effective against less experienced opponents, enhancing the probabilistic edge without altering the board fundamentally.^[35]

Variant-Specific Techniques

In the Portes variant, players prioritize aggressive hitting of opponent blots to disrupt their positioning, while simultaneously safeguarding their home board against retaliatory hits that could leave checkers vulnerable on the bar. This approach leverages estimated hit probabilities, such as the likelihood of an exposed checker being hit on the next roll, to inform bold plays that send opponents back early in the game. Building primes—sequences of consecutive blocked points—is a key tactic for establishing backgames, where anchoring multiple checkers behind the opponent's structure creates opportunities for multiple hits upon escape attempts.^[37] Plakoto emphasizes maximizing pinning opportunities, particularly on strategic points like the 4-point near the opponent's home board, where trapping a lone checker can severely limit their mobility and often lead to a gammon win if the pinned piece is the last one (the "mother"). Defensive stacking plays a central role, with players piling additional checkers atop pinned opponents to prolong immobilization and force them into suboptimal moves, such as attempting to escape through blocked paths. Early formation of consecutive blocks in the origin quadrant, followed by shifting them forward, enhances these pinning tactics by creating layered defenses that exploit the opponent's need to unblock their trapped pieces.^[28] Fevga shifts focus to speed-oriented running strategies, where players advance checkers rapidly around the board in the shared counterclockwise direction to outpace the opponent without engaging in hits, instead using minimal blockades to control key paths. By keeping checkers distributed across parallel routes and avoiding overcommitment to primes that might trap the opponent unnecessarily, players maintain flexibility for quick bear-offs once in the home table. A notable probability consideration is the odds of rolling doubles, which occur in 1 out of 6 turns (approximately 16.67%) and enable four moves per turn to accelerate bear-offs significantly in this race-like format.^[10]^[36]

Cultural Significance

Role in Greek Society

Tavli serves as a central social activity in Greece, particularly in kafeneia—traditional coffeehouses that function as community gathering spots for conversation, relaxation, and bonding. In these venues, often found in villages, towns, and urban neighborhoods, men historically congregate to play the game over Greek coffee, ouzo, or raki, using it as a medium for lively debates on politics, daily life, and local news.^[17] This practice extends to tavernas and homes, where Tavli fosters intergenerational connections and strengthens social ties across communities.^[2] As a symbol of Greek leisure, Tavli has been embedded in national identity since the Ottoman era, reflecting enduring cultural traditions amid historical influences. Variants like Fevga draw from Ottoman games such as Moultezim, illustrating how Tavli evolved as a resilient pastime during centuries of foreign rule, evoking a sense of continuity in Greek heritage.^[38] It appears in Greek folklore and oral traditions as a quintessential element of everyday life, symbolizing wit, strategy, and camaraderie, and has been referenced in literature as a marker of cultural continuity.^[39] Traditionally male-dominated, especially in rural kafeneia where it remains a staple among older generations, Tavli's participation has grown more inclusive in recent decades, with women increasingly joining games in urban cafes and family homes.^[17] This shift mirrors broader societal changes, allowing younger players of all genders to engage, though the game's boisterous style—marked by shouts and banter—still echoes its roots in male social spaces.^[40] Economically, Tavli supports informal betting in casual settings, where small wagers add excitement to matches without formal stakes, contributing to its appeal as a low-key gambling tradition.^[40] Additionally, handcrafted Tavli boards, often made from olive wood or other local materials, drive tourism-related sales, with artisans like those at Manopoulos producing sets sold as authentic souvenirs in Athens shops and markets, bolstering local craftsmanship.^[41]

Global Popularity and Variations

Tavli, while deeply rooted in Greek culture, has gained popularity beyond Greece through the global Greek diaspora, where it is commonly played in community cafes and gatherings. In countries with significant Greek immigrant populations, such as the United States, Australia, and Canada, tavli sets are staples in social settings, often enjoyed alongside traditional coffee or drinks, mirroring its role in Greek kafeneia.^[2] This spread reflects tavli's appeal as a social and strategic game, fostering intergenerational bonding among expatriates. The game's historical dissemination across the Mediterranean has led to related forms in neighboring regions, enhancing its indirect global footprint. In Turkey, a closely related variant known as tawula remains popular, sharing tavli's board and dice mechanics but with localized rules, and is played widely in cafes and homes. Similarly, in Egypt and parts of the southern Mediterranean, tavli-like games persist as enduring pastimes, tracing back to ancient board game traditions that influenced its evolution.^[42] These regional adaptations underscore tavli's versatility, contributing to backgammon's broader international revival.^[43]

References

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Tavli (Greek Backgammon)
Tavli means "board" in Greece. It is also the name used for various games played on a backgammon board. There are three games of Tavli commonly played.
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All you need to know about Tavli, Greece's national board game –
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Why Do Greeks Play Tavli?
Origins of Tavli in Greece The game that we now know as tavli, or backgammon, likely originated about 5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. This is suspected ...
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Greek Backgammon And How It's Played - XpatAthens.com
Jul 29, 2019 · Tavli is a very old game, which comes from the Eastern Mediterranean and the civilizations of Mesopotamia. Although there are many mentions in ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Sep 15, 2019 · Tavli is played very quickly compared to western backgammon. It's a vibrant, raucous game where insults are traded freely, but in good spirits.
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Backgammon set carved "Ancient Greek ship" theme
In stockThis handmade set features solid wood, a leather bottom, galalith checkers, and accessories. It has a walnut case, carved Afr.Walnut surface, and includes 4 ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Portes - Backgammon Galore
Portes is one of three backgammon games popular in Greece. The other two are Plakoto and Fevga. The three games together are called Tavli.
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The existence of such games can be traced back thousands of millennia B.C. to the ancient cultures of the Middle East and Asia. However, the specific origins ...Missing: tavli scholarly
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Oct 1, 2018 · The game was imported from the Near East to Egypt, where it was played between Dynasties 17 and 20 (ca. 1580–1070 B.C.). It is found on the ...
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May 19, 2021 · The Kafeneio dates back many centuries and was a meeting place for card games, Tavli (backgammon), Greek coffee, Ouzo, Raki, Tsipouro, and needless to say, ...Missing: 20th | Show results with:20th
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iTavli-Best backgammon game - App Store - Apple
Rating 3.7 (55) · Free · iOSPlay against your friend or the computer (3 levels of difficulty) 15 backgammon like games: Modern Backgammon (with the Doubling Cube), Portes or Backgammon, ...
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Rating 2.8 (731) · Free · AndroidPlay backgammon variants Tavli, Portes, Plakoto, Fevga against world class AI. Palamedes has won the computer backgammon championship two times (2011, 2015).
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Jan 23, 2018 · Although it looks like the 'western' game of backgammon, there are different rules to Tavli, Greece's longest running and favourite board game, ...
[19]
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/itavli-best-backgammon-game/id427813048
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Portes
### Summary of Dice Rolling and Movement Principles for Portes (Tavli)
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Rules - iTavli
The most important rule in a backgammon game is that you have to move the checker(s) as many spaces as the sum of the dice (or four times the dice if you roll ...
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Plakoto
### Summary of Dice Rolling and Movement Principles for Plakoto (Tavli)
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Fevga (Narde)
### Summary of Dice Rolling and Movement Principles for Fevga (Tavli)
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Backgammon FAQ: Different Ways of Playing
The board consists of 24 spaces or points. Each player has 15 pieces or checkers to move around the board. The checkers are moved according to the numbers ...
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Palamedes User Manual (Version - Nikolaos Papahristou
Bearing Off: Once you have moved all fifteen of your checkers into your home board, you may begin bearing off. You bear off rolling a number that ...
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[PDF] Plakoto
Plakoto is a variation of the game of backgammon. Plakoto is played in Greece and Turkey, and in Egypt, where it is known as Mahbooseh.
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Plakoto - Backgammon Galore
Setup: Each player starts with fifteen checkers on the opponent's one-point. The checkers move around the board in opposite directions as shown in the diagram ...
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Game rules (Plakoto) - BrainKing
The three games together are called Tavli and are usually played one after the other in matches of three, five, or seven points.Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
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Fevga (Narde) - Backgammon Galore
Fevga is one of three backgammon games popular in Greece. The other two are Portes and Plakoto. The three games together are called Tavli.
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Rules of Fevga game
The object of the game is to move all your checkers around the board and bear them off. White bears off at the lower-right; Red bears off at the upper-left.
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Game rules (Fevga) - BrainKing
Each player starts with fifteen checkers on the rightmost point of the far side of the board, at diagonally opposite corners from each other (see the picture).<|separator|>
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Rules of Narde - Fevga - iTavli
The Narde – Fevga game has only one configuration, the left. ... In the Narde – Fevga game, you start from the top right corner, and you move counter – clockwise.
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Tavli: Greek Backgammon, by Vassilis Condos
That means, if a white checker say, can be placed on top of a single black checker then until it is removed the black checker can not be removed. Note 1: More ...
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Tavli: Greek Backgammon, by Vassilis Condos
### Scoring and Point Calculation in Tavli Variants
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Basic Backgammon Strategies
The Five Basic Backgammon Strategies · The Running Game Strategy · The Holding Game Strategy · The Priming Game Strategy · The Backgammon Blitz · The Back Game ...The Holding Game Strategy · The Priming Game StrategyMissing: Tavli | Show results with:Tavli
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The Best Backgammon Strategy - The Spruce Crafts
Oct 30, 2024 · Learn these five basic Backgammon strategies including the Running Game and the Blitz to take the board by storm in your next game.
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Constructing effective match strategies for the game of Tavli
Dec 27, 2024 · The order of the games is usually Portes-Plakoto-Fevga, but in some Greek regions, another order is used: Fevga-Plakoto-Portes. We will examine ...Missing: reset | Show results with:reset<|control11|><|separator|>
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On the Design and Training of Bots to Play Backgammon Variants
In this paper we examine three popular variants of backgammon in Greece, namely Portes,. Plakoto and Fevga, collectively called Tavli. In a traditional Tavli ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Basic Probability, by Oswald Jacoby - Backgammon Galore
Notice that a double counts as one roll only, while a number such as 6-5 occurs as two dice combinations. Although 6-5 and 5-6 look alike when rolled, they are ...
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Greek Backgammon And How It's Played - XpatAthens.com
### Summary of Tavli (Greek Backgammon)
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An Ode to Backgammon - tovima.com
Jul 9, 2024 · Tavli actually consists of not one, but three games, with Greeks often alternating between the three as they play. In ascending order of ...
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Tavli: 4 Exciting Facts About Greece's Favorite Game
In Greece the exact equivalent of backgammon is called “Vidos”. The Greeks use to play games alternating between Portes, Plakoto and Fevga games. Tavli game: ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Ekavi Shop (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE ... - Tripadvisor
Rating 4.0 (27) Ekavi shop is specialized in selling Manopoulos backgammon and chess sets since 1970. Except for the game boards, Ekavi shop sells mind games and wooden ...
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Top Countries Where Backgammon Is Still Popular Today
Apr 21, 2025 · Discover the top 10 countries where backgammon is still thriving in 2025. From Turkey to Denmark, explore how this ancient game continues to ...
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Tavli – the great Greek board game - Creta Maris
Tavli means 'board' in Greek and it's also the name used for the various types of games played on a backgammon board. Three types of game, each with slightly ...
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10 countries where backgammon is thriving
Jan 4, 2025 · Today, backgammon and its variants are still extremely popular, with tournaments hosted in many countries of the world (WBGF Tournament Rules).