Plakoto Express

Those who are familiar with Plakoto will be right at home when they play Plakoto Express. As a little twist to the game that separates it from its better known cousin, the roll of a double in Plakoto Express is a far more powerful thing. When the dice shows you a double of any sort, instead of simply playing the double as normal, you may play the double four times. For example, if you roll a 2-2, you may play 2-2 four times (a total of 16 moves). This will only work once for the 2-2. The next time you roll a double 2, you must treat it as a normal double. If you roll a 3-3 though, you can play that 3-3 four times. After that if you hit a 4-4, that double can be played four times, and so on and on until you reach 6-6. Players who get to that point have a distinct advantage.

When setting up the board for this game, all fifteen of your checkers will be placed on your opponent's one point. This is where the fun begins as you try to get all your checkers to your home board, and bear them off.

What makes the task of getting where you want so much harder is that there is no hitting in this game, but you can pin your opponents. If the roll allows you to land on a point where only one of your opponent's checkers is placed, you put your checker higher than their's on the point. As long as your checker is there, your opponent is immobilized. This is a good way to freeze an opponent while you get your checkers to your home board. Keep in mind, this strategy cuts both ways. Your checker must stay there to keep him frozen, so you are immobilized as well.

If your position on the board means you cannot move one or both of the numbers that the dice is showing you after your roll, your opponent will take over your roll. He may move his pieces according to your dice in the order that you were supposed to move. After this, he may take his proper turn. This will continue until you can move your pieces.

As with any proper game of backgammon, the winner is the person who has beared off all their checkers. For those score obsessed out there, there is no doubling in this game.