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Backgammon Variants

Mexican Backgammon

Setup: The setup for Mexican backgammon is the same as regular backgammon.

Object: The object of the game is to move all of your checkers around the board to your own home table and then bear them off. The first player to bear off all of his checkers wins the game.

To start: Each player rolls one die and the higher number goes first. That player may use the numbers just thrown or he may roll both dice again. After that, the players alternate turns.

Movement: The roll of the dice indicates how many points, or pips, the player is to move his checkers. The following rules apply:

• You must move the lower number first. If you are unable to play the lower number, then you lose your turn.
• A checker may be moved only to an open point, one that is not occupied by two or more opposing checkers.
• The numbers on the two dice constitute separate moves. For example, if you roll 3 and 5, you may move one checker three spaces to an open point and another checker five spaces to an open point, or you may move the one checker a total of eight spaces to an open point, but only if the intermediate point (three spaces from the starting point) is also open.
• You are not allowed to put more than five checkers on one point.

• First you play each number twice. For example, a roll of 6-6 means you have four sixes to use.
• Then you roll again and play that roll in the usual way. If you rolled doubles again, you play that number four times and roll yet again.

However, if you are unable to play all four numbers of a doubles roll, you lose the remaining numbers and do not get to roll again.

Mexican: The roll of 1 and 2 is called a Mexican. If you roll a Mexican, here is what happens:

• First, you play the 1 and 2 in the normal way (playing the 1 first).
• Then you name any roll of doubles you wish and play accordingly.
• Then you get to roll again.

If the number you rolled again is another 1 and 2, you get to keep going.

Note, however, if you are unable to use any part of your roll, you forfeit the rest of your turn. For example, if you can move your 1 but cannot use the 2, you may not name a double and you may not roll again.

Hitting: A checker sitting alone on a point is called a blot. If an opposing checker lands on a blot, the blot is hit and placed on the bar.

Entering from the bar: Any time you have one or more checkers on the bar, your first obligation is to reenter those checker(s) into the opponent's home board. You reenter a checker by moving it to an open point corresponding to one of the numbers on the rolled dice. If you are able to enter some but not all of your checkers on the bar, you must enter as many as you can then give up the remainder of your turn.

The low-number-first requirement of Mexican makes entering checkers more difficult than in regular backgammon.

In this example, White may not enter on the opponent's one-point because that point is blocked, and he may not enter on the five-point because that would be using the 5 first. So White loses his turn.

Exact bearoff: When all your checkers are home, you may commence bearing off. Checkers must be borne off exactly; that is, you may only remove checkers from the point numbers indicated by the roll. If you cannot bear off, you must make another legal move if possible within your home board.

Scoring: The first player to bear off all his checkers wins the game. There is no bonus for a gammon or backgammon. There is no doubling cube in this game.

Rule Differences from Backgammon

The winner of the opening roll has the option of rerolling for his first turn. You always move the lower number of a roll first. No more than five checkers on a point. After rolling and playing doubles, you get to roll again. After rolling a Mexican (1-2), you get to name and play a double of your choice, then roll again. Checkers must be borne off exactly. There are no gammons or backgammons. There is no doubling.

References

• Tom Henry: Posted to rec.games.backgammon.