Plakoto — Play Plakoto Tavli Online

What is Plakoto?

Plakoto is one of the three core variants played in Greece as part of the traditional "trio" (Portes – Plakoto – Fevga). It differs fundamentally from Portes because there is no bar: your checker traps the opponent in place, making it a more tactical game that rewards careful defensive thinking.

Plakoto is believed to have developed in Asia Minor and the Eastern Mediterranean, alongside related variants still played today in Turkey (Tapa) and the Middle East. It arrived in Greece with the 1922 refugees and quickly became established as the second game of the trio.

Its defensive style and the tension around the home point — where a single pin can mean an instant loss — have made it a favourite among experienced players who want less of the luck element present in Portes.

Plakoto Rules

1. All 15 checkers per player start stacked on the 24-point (the opponent's home point).
2. You move toward your own home board and then bear off, just like in Portes.
3. Instead of hitting blots, you pin them: your checker sits on top and the opponent's checker cannot move.
4. A pinned checker is freed only when you move your checker off that point.
5. There is no bar — nobody loses a turn.
6. If you pin your opponent's home point (their starting point), they lose immediately — this is called a closed gate or gammon.
7. Doubles are played four times, as in Portes.
8. Once all 15 of your checkers are in your home board, you start bearing off.
9. The winner is the first player to bear off all 15 checkers.

Plakoto Strategy

• Guard your home point: if you leave it unprotected and your opponent pins it, you lose immediately.
• Pin your opponent's checkers aggressively when they are in your area — every pinned checker is one fewer that can block your bear-off.
• Use doubles to create multiple pins in a single turn.
• Don't rush to move off points where you have pinned — as long as you stay, your opponent stays trapped.
• Play a racing game only when you are significantly ahead; otherwise keep pins to force the opponent to waste useful rolls.
• At the end, plan carefully which pin to release first — sometimes it pays to wait so the opponent does not suddenly revive.

Common Mistakes — Plakoto

• Leaving their home point (24-point) unguarded and losing immediately to a closed gate.
• Pinning without thinking about whether they can maintain the pressure — releasing too early throws away the advantage.
• Playing as if it were Portes and trying to 'hit' instead of 'pin'.
• Neglecting defence and letting the opponent build walls in their area.
• Misreading their roll: in Plakoto, moving a checker off a point where you have a pin frees the opponent.

Glossary — Plakoto

Plakoto: How It Differs from the Other Variants

Unlike Portes, in Plakoto there is no bar and nobody loses a turn. Instead, the game is 'closed': a single checker of yours can immobilise the opponent's for many turns.

Compared with Fevga, Plakoto is more directly aggressive — you interact constantly with the opponent's checkers. In Fevga you simply cannot pass where they stand.

FAQ — Plakoto

Other Variants Beyond Plakoto

• Portes — The classic tavli variant — Greek backgammon as played in every kafeneio.
• Fevga — No hitting. All checkers move in the same direction.

New to tavli? Start with the beginner's guide — covers the basics of all three variants.