Portes — Play Portes Tavli Online

What is Portes?

Portes is the Greek name for classic backgammon — the same game played worldwide under the name "backgammon". It is by far the most popular of the three Greek tavli variants, and the one almost every child in Greece learns first.

The game's roots go back thousands of years to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. The Romans played it as ludus duodecim scriptorum; through the Byzantine Empire it spread across the Eastern Mediterranean, and in Greece it evolved into the form we know today, becoming an inseparable part of kafeneio (coffee shop) culture.

Today Portes is played internationally as backgammon in professional tournaments, with the World Backgammon Federation (WBF) hosting the annual World Championship in Monaco. In Greece it remains the most popular strategy game, with a thriving community for both live and online play.

Portes Rules

  1. Each player has 15 checkers in the classic starting position: 2 on the 24-point, 5 on the 13-point, 3 on the 8-point, and 5 on the 6-point.
  2. Roll two dice and move checkers the corresponding number of points toward your home board.
  3. Doubles (e.g. 5-5) are played four times instead of two.
  4. A checker left alone on a point is a blot — your opponent can hit it and send it to the bar.
  5. You must re-enter all hit checkers from the bar before making any other move.
  6. A point occupied by two or more of your checkers is closed — your opponent cannot land there.
  7. Once all 15 checkers are in your home board you can begin bearing off.
  8. The winner is the first player to bear off all 15 checkers.
  9. If you finish while your opponent has not borne off any checker, you win a gammon (double victory).

Portes Strategy

  • Control key points: your 5-point and 7-point are among the most valuable anchors. Building them early gives you a defensive advantage.
  • Avoid leaving blots in your opponent's home board without reason — always calculate the chance of being hit.
  • Use doubles aggressively: a 5-5 or 6-6 can completely reshape the game.
  • During the bear-off, don't let your opponent build a prime of 6 consecutive closed points — if they do, you're trapped.
  • Play a running game when you're ahead in the pip count: avoid contact and race to the finish.
  • Play a back game when you're behind: keep anchors in your opponent's board and wait for a hit.

Common Mistakes — Portes

  • Leaving too many blots in the opening without calculating risk.
  • Not building their 5-point when the dice allow it.
  • Playing doubles quickly without thinking through the best combined move.
  • Rushing to bear off before closing their home board, giving the opponent unnecessary chances.
  • Not doubling when they have a clear lead — losing match points they could have won.

Glossary — Portes

Term Definition
Checker A playing piece; each player has 15.
Point A spike occupied by two or more of the same player's checkers — the opponent cannot land there.
Bar The middle ridge. Hit checkers go here until re-entered.
Roll The result of a dice throw, e.g. "5-3".
Doubles When both dice show the same number. Played four times instead of two.
Gammon Double victory: you bear off all checkers while your opponent has not borne off any.
Backgammon Triple victory: your opponent has not borne off any checker AND still has one on the bar or in your home board.
Bearing off The final phase where you remove your checkers from the board.
Game One complete game (until someone bears off all their checkers).
Match A series of 5 or 7 games — whoever wins the most takes the match.

Portes: How It Differs from the Other Variants

Portes stands out because it is the only one of the three games that allows hitting — you can send your opponent's blots to the bar and force them to re-enter.

In Plakoto you pin instead of hit — the opponent's checker is trapped in place. In Fevga there is no interaction between checkers at all. This makes Portes the most aggressive of the three variants.

FAQ — Portes

How does Portes differ from Plakoto?

In Portes you hit your opponent's blot and send it to the bar. In Plakoto you pin it in place — it stays there until you move off it.

Can I play without an account?

Yes. Click "Play" and start immediately. No registration or app download needed.

Does it work on mobile?

Yes. It works on iPhone, Android, tablet, and desktop. On mobile we recommend landscape orientation so the full board is visible.

Is it a game of luck or strategy?

Both. The dice introduce luck, but strategy determines who wins over many games. Statistically, a skilled player will almost always beat a beginner in a match.

How long does a game of Portes take?

Usually 5 to 15 minutes. A full best-of-5 match can last 30–60 minutes.

What does "gammon" mean?

A double win: you bear off all your checkers while your opponent has not borne off any. In a match it counts as two points.

How does the game start?

Each player rolls one die. The higher roll goes first, using both dice that were thrown.

Can I play with a friend on the same device?

Yes, there is a 2-player mode — you take turns rolling dice without leaving the page.

Does it work offline?

Once the page loads, you can continue the game without a connection. A new game requires reloading.

What is this game called in English?

Portes = Backgammon. It is the most internationally recognised of the three Greek tavli variants, played worldwide.

Other Variants Beyond Portes

  • Plakoto — Pin your opponent's checkers. They can't move until you let them go.
  • 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.