Nard (Long Nardy)
About the game and how to play
Nard is Azerbaijan's favourite board game, and this is long nard: each side starts with all 15 checkers stacked on its head point, rolls two dice and moves them round the board into its home, and the first to bear all of them off wins. Nothing is ever hit — a point with even one opposing checker on it is closed, so the art is building walls in your opponent's way. Play the computer at three levels, pass one phone between two players, or open an online room with a code. Before the match you choose how many points it goes to: a normal win scores one, a mars two. Online, the server rolls the dice, so every game is fair.
- Players
- 1–2 players
- Category
- Board and card games
- Price
- Free, no download, no sign-up
- Where to play
- In the browser on phone, tablet and computer
Can be played with friends in an online room
How to play
- Choose the match length (1, 3, 5 or 7 points) and a mode: against the computer, two players, or online.
- Each game opens with one die each: the higher one rolls both dice first.
- Roll, tap a checker, then tap the highlighted point; only one checker a turn may leave the head, and doubles are played four times.
- Once all your checkers are home, bear them off into the tray on the right — the first to bear off all 15 wins.
Tips
- Only one checker leaves the head each turn, so start bringing them out early or they get stuck behind.
- Points in a row in your opponent's path hold them up — but six in a row are only allowed once one of their checkers is past.
- Spread out rather than stack: more points held means more ways to block and more moves for you.
- When the checkers no longer meet, it's a race: watch the pip count and bring your last checkers home fast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between long and short nard?
In long nard each side starts with all 15 checkers on its head, both move the same way round and nothing is hit — a single opposing checker closes a point. In short nard (backgammon) the checkers start spread out, move in opposite directions and a lone checker can be hit. This game is long nard.
How many checkers may leave the head?
One a turn. The only exception is a side's first roll: with 6-6, 4-4 or 3-3, two checkers may go.
What is a mars?
Bearing off all fifteen of your checkers before your opponent has borne off any is a mars and scores two points instead of one.
Who rolls the dice online?
The server. Dice and moves are checked on the server, so nobody can change a roll or the board. You can also give each turn a 30, 60 or 120-second clock.