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Nackgammon: The Exciting Backgammon Variant

Published on June 2, 2026 · Updated on July 12, 2026

Nackgammon is a backgammon variant developed by American grandmaster Nack Ballard. The rules are exactly the same as classic backgammon – only the starting position of the checkers is changed.

The Nackgammon starting position

Instead of the classic distribution (2 checkers on the 24-point, 5 on the 13-point, 3 on the 8-point, and 5 on the 6-point), Nackgammon starts with the following setup per player:

  • 2 checkers on the 24-point
  • 2 checkers on the 23-point
  • 4 checkers on the 13-point
  • 3 checkers on the 8-point
  • 4 checkers on the 6-point

The basic principles of the backgammon setup remain unchanged – only the distribution of the 15 checkers is different.

Why do people play Nackgammon?

Because of the modified setup, more checkers sit deep in the opponent’s territory (on the 23- and 24-point). This leads to significantly more contact between the checkers of both players and makes pure racing strategies less dominant. If you enjoy priming or a backgame, Nackgammon offers more opportunities for that than the classic game, where an early double can sometimes decide the game quickly.

Who is Nackgammon suited for?

Nackgammon is especially popular among experienced players who have already mastered classic opening theory and are looking for a tactically more demanding variant. Beginners are advised to first practice the backgammon basics and strategy of the classic game before switching to Nackgammon.

Ulf Mayer

About the Author

Ulf Mayer

I love backgammon in all its forms – whether it's a quick match on my smartphone to pass the time, or a glass of wine alongside a beautiful wooden board with family and friends. As the founder of backgammon-meister.de, I share my passion, tactics, and tips to help both beginners and ambitious players dominate their next match. Dice cup ready? Let's master the game!

backgammon-meister.de has been online since 2008.

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