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| Do you like backgammon, but you find it boring after some time? Why don’t you try out one of its several variants? You might choose according to popularity, simplicity/complexity, or according to the available time you have. This article is going to present you one of the most popular backgammon variants called Acey-deucey. |
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The game became widespread after the World War I, so it has a long history by the way. If you take a quick read at this article, you’ll find out more about its defining features compared to the traditional backgammon, and you’ll get familiarized with the basic rules, strategies and Acey-Deucey types. After going over this article, you’ll be ready to start your Acey-deucey career! Good luck!
Let’s start with the differences between the traditional backgammon and its Acey-deucey version! You should know that many features differ, from the initial position and the opening play through the rules of the endgame to the doubling cube’s characteristics and usage. Another interesting feature that makes Acey-deucey different from the other backgammon types is that one can retain their opponent’s checkers in their home board, and this makes the game more exciting. Also, checkers have to be moved in the opposing direction compared to traditional backgammon and pieces may be hit which means they must leave the board. Finally, if one has a 2-1 roll he or she has a number of extra options: this roll implies a complex combination of moves; moreover the player has a new throw as well.
To continue, let’s talk about Acey-deucey’s initial position as the components are pretty much the same as for the traditional backgammon! So there is a similar checkerboard which has 24 fixed triangular-shaped points, there are 15 round checkers for each player, and there is a pair of dice and a cup to throw the dices. However, there is no doubling cube in Acey deucey. This game variation begins with all the pieces being off the checkerboard. The opening play differs from the traditional backgammon’s opening scene. This means players roll the dices until two identical numbers (doubles) are rolled or an acey deucey, namely a 1 and a 2. Till this moment, checkers cannot be moved. In case a player throws a double, he or she have the chance to move four times, each move passing over a number of spaces that is equal with the thrown amount. Let’s see, what happens if you roll two fives for instance! You may move four times with five points each.
But how is the game continued after the opening move? After this point, the game is very similar to the traditional backgammon, but there are still some essential differences. First of all you should know that although you may move any checkers in Acey-deucey, this rule applies only after none of a player’s pieces are at the starting position. But you can move any checker before all checkers are entered. This rule is valid at the beginning and while playing. Second, if you happen to roll doubles or acey-deucey, you will throw and then move according to the roll. Throwing an acey-deucey (namely a 1-2) implies a number of extra options. So you may move one checker one space, and one checker two spaces, but you also have an extra four moves of whichever number you want. All in all, acey deucey means a 1-2 plus a chosen double from 1 to 6. Moreover, an acey deucey roll gives you a chance of rolling again. But don’t forget that if you cannot move both the 1 and the 2, then your acey-deucey is stopped so you lose the double and the new throw. Also, if you cannot make all the four moves that compose the double, the next extra roll is lost as well. A fourth difference would be that if you reach your home board, you may move the checker again only after all the others arrive there. Fifth, doubling is not used in Acey Deucey as the doubling cube doesn’t exist. But in some games, the stake is doubled whenever an acey-deucey is thrown. Finally, you should have an exact roll in order to bear off. Is it too complicated? Well, after playing the game several times, you’ll surely find it easy and enjoyable!
Talking about the winnings, Acey Deucey has a strange method of defining this, as at the end the player who has lost the game has to pay the other player the stake several times according to the number of checkers that are still on the board. Is that all? More or less the other rules are the same as for the regular backgammon. You should know that one might face some interesting variants of the previous rules which may make an Acey-deucey party more prohibitive. First, if all of your checkers have arrived to your home area, you may not move them any more. Second, in contrary to the regular version, you can bear off your checkers only if they exactly suit the dice throw. As an example, if the 1 and 5 points are free and you happen to throw a 1-5, you cannot use that throw to bear off a piece from the 2-point. Also, you can only move checkers from the bar by rolling doubles. During bearing off, the same rules apply for doubles and acey-deucey for taking extra rolls as described above. So in case of an ‘acey-deucey’ if one cannot bear off a piece from both the 1 and the 2 point, he or she is not allowed to roll again. That’s why you’ll need luck as well!
Time has arrived to talk about the Acey-deucey strategy! In the beginning it is essential for you to establish progressed points as soon as you can, and possibly some neighbouring points as well in order to have a prime. In case both players have primes you should pound at the other player. Bear in mind that you’ll have advantage if you have a more advanced prime. Even though you have to break your first prime, the farther-advanced one will very probably make you the winner. Another key strategy is blocking one’s partner from a play of 1 or 2. Finally, although these strategies are very useful, don’t forget that Acey-deucy is more of a luck game than the regular backgammon.
Last, but not least, let’s see what kind of Acey-deucey variations exist! The article will focus on the most characteristic feature of every game! One interesting sub-version is a Greek game which gives players the chance to force their partner to hit one of their checkers. The Mexican version of Acey-Deucey is quite popular as well, where there is a rule according to which maximum five checkers are allowed on a point. The attraction of playing European Acey-deucey consists of the doubles being played on both dice sides. Finally you should know that over the last twenty years, Acey deucey and its variants also appeared in the Internet and these games become more and more popular in the virtual world of gambling.
All in all, Acey-deucey is an exciting game with a primary purpose similar to that of the regular backgammon, namely that players aim to become the first in bringing all their pieces into their home board, and in bearing their checkers off. Although the objective and the equipment are similar, Acey-deucey has a number of differentiating features and specific rules which make the game even more attractive. Moreover, the greater pace and tension gives a particular nature to the game. Another special and defining feature of Acey deucey is given by the roll of a 1 and a 2 which is called ‘acey-deucey’. This allows players to move based on their ace deuce and make any doubles they choose. Also, after a 1-2, a new roll comes automatically, and it may happen that the ‘acey-deucey’ is repeated upon this new roll. Therefore, don’t forget to learn the special way of calling out ‘Acey Deucey!’ whenever you roll a 1-2! Finally, Acey Deucey allows more freedom: one might move any checkers, wherever they want, at any time. So it is worth trying! Enjoy your Acey-deucey game! |
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