Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world. And probably also one of the most relaxed ways to pass the time with a drink of your choice (preferably in a WHYNOT GMTJ glass :) and good company.
Simple enough for a cozy evening. Complex enough to still be thinking about the next move after thousands of games.
The standard Backgammon rules are simple and clear. You can read them here.
WHYNOT Backgammon Rules
Backgammon is already a great game. But sometimes even a great game needs a little spark of magic. That's why we like to play by the WHYNOT Special Rules.
The WHYNOT Joker Roll
The roll of 1 + 2 becomes the WHYNOT Joker Roll.
If you roll a 1 and a 2, you can choose any other dice roll instead.
It doesn't matter if it's 6 + 6, 5 + 3, 4 + 4, or any other combination.
The player decides which roll helps them most at that moment.
This turns the normally rather inconspicuous, fiddly 1 + 2 roll into suddenly the best roll of the entire game.
And that's precisely the spice in the soup or the music in the lounge. This creates the best opportunities exactly when you least expect them.
## Optional: The WHYNOT Gentleman's Agreement
This optional WHYNOT rule is for everyone who wants to not just play Backgammon, but experience it with all its ups and downs :)
As soon as you have the opportunity to hit an opponent's checker and thus ensure that your opponent has two checkers on the bar, you must do it.
It doesn't matter whether you hit two checkers directly with one move or if one opponent's checker is already on the bar and you could hit another.
If you can make sure your opponent has two checkers on the bar, you must do it.
And if your opponent overlooks the opportunity, you may – or should – point it out to them.
Why?
Because it creates entirely new situations.
A seemingly safe position suddenly becomes risky. A cautious move turns into an attack. And an almost decided game can completely turn around within a few rolls.
The result is longer games, more twists, more laughter, more curses, and significantly more stories to remember later.
## Optional: The WHYNOT Leap of Joy Roll
This optional WHYNOT rule works best with a classic Backgammon case.
Dice are rolled exclusively within the opened game board.
If even one die leaves the case during the roll, the turn ends immediately and the opponent is next.
Sounds tough?
Sometimes it is.
Especially when both players are already bearing off, the tension is rising, and you almost feel like a winner inside.
That's exactly when it sometimes happens: A slightly too euphoric roll, a small leap of joy from the die – and suddenly it's the other player's turn again.
A loving wink that even in Backgammon, nothing is decided until the last checker is off the board.
Like in life. Without sounding too melodramatic good vibing :)
