Tawula is a fun and challenging variant of Backgammon. If you're a Backgammon player, there are a few things you'll need to understand:

• At the beginning of the game, there are only two of your pieces on the board. You cannot place any other pieces on the point they occupy, and you cannot move those two pieces until all your other pieces have entered the board.

• As in Backgammon, single pieces on a point are vulnerable. Here's where it gets especially tricky: You cannot blockade ANY pieces on the half of the board where you enter EXCEPT for the very last space! It makes good sense to try and make a blockade on that point as soon as possible. If your opponent makes a blockade there first, you may have a rough time of it!

• Try to blockade as many of your pieces as you can in your opponent's entry area. If you land on one of your opponent's pieces in his entry area, you must leave at least one point in his entry area open to allow him entry onto the board. However, if you land on one of your opponent's pieces outside of his entry area, it is fair game to completely block his entry area. If you can do that, you will have an opportunity to run the board while he or she is stuck on the bar!

I welcome all Tawula invitations, regardless of skill level! Send me an invite!