Takhte Nard: how to play Iranian backgammon
Also known as: تختهنرد, Backgammon, Nard
How to play takhte nard, the backgammon of Iranian homes and tea houses: board setup, moving, hitting, bearing off and the role of dice and doubles.
- Type
- Board game
- Players
- 2
- Age
- Ages 8+
- Play time
- 10–30 min
- Origin
- Iran and the wider Middle East
Takhte nard is the Persian name for backgammon, one of the oldest families of board games still played today. In Iran it is part of everyday life: it is played in homes, parks and tea houses, often with a wooden board inlaid with fine patterns. Race-type board games with dice have a very long history in the region, and an early game board found at the Burnt City (Shahr-e Sukhteh) in south-eastern Iran is often linked to this family, although scholars still discuss how close it is to modern rules. A Persian story from the Sasanian era also tells of the game being invented as an answer to chess. Today, two players race fifteen pieces each around the board, mixing luck from the dice with real skill in every decision.
Our verdict
Takhte nard is quick to learn and lifelong to master. The dice keep every game open, so a beginner can sometimes beat an expert, yet over many games skill always shows. It is a social game: in Iran it often comes with tea, talk and friendly teasing between players. A game takes only a few minutes, so many rounds fit into one evening. Learning it also connects players to a living tradition shared across Iran, the Caucasus, Turkey and the Arab world.
What works
- Fast, exciting games with real decisions
- Deep cultural roots in Iran and the region
- Balanced mix of luck and skill
What does not
- Dice luck can decide single games
- Only for two players at a time
How to play Takhte Nard (Backgammon)
The board has twenty-four narrow triangles, called points, in four groups of six. Each player has fifteen pieces placed in a fixed starting pattern, and the two players move in opposite directions. On each turn, a player rolls two dice and moves pieces forward by the numbers shown: one piece can use both numbers, or two pieces can use one each. A double, such as two fours, is played four times. A piece cannot land on a point held by two or more enemy pieces. If it lands on a point with only one enemy piece, that piece is hit and must restart from the bar, and its owner must bring it back in before making any other move. When all fifteen of a player's pieces reach their home quarter, that player may begin bearing them off the board. The first player to remove all their pieces wins.
Tips for new players
- Avoid leaving single pieces alone where your opponent can hit them.
- Build blocks of two or more pieces on neighbouring points to stop enemy movement.
- Learn the best opening moves for each first roll; they repeat in every game.
- Count the race: if you are well ahead, stop fighting and move pieces home safely.
Good for
Takhte Nard (Backgammon): common questions
Is takhte nard the same as backgammon?
Yes. Takhte nard is the Persian name for backgammon. Local habits and house rules can differ slightly, but the main game is the same.
How many pieces does each player use?
Each player has fifteen pieces, and the goal is to bring all of them home and then bear them off the board first.
What happens when you roll a double?
A double is played four times. For example, a roll of two fives lets you move four times by five.
Takhte Nard (Backgammon) belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
