Long Nardy vs Backgammon
Same board, same 15 checkers, same two dice — and two very different games. Here's what long nardy and backgammon share, where they differ, and which one might suit you better.
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What long nardy and backgammon have in common
- A board of 24 points, 15 checkers per player and two dice.
- Each die is a separate move; doubles are played four times.
- You must play both dice if you can; if only one can be played, you play it; if either could be played but not both, you play the higher number.
- Each player starts by rolling one die, the higher number goes first, and ties are rolled again.
- The goal is the same: bring all 15 checkers into your home board and bear them off first. The bear-off rules are identical.
- A win where the loser hasn't borne off a single checker counts double: a gammon in backgammon, a mars in nardy.
Long nardy vs backgammon: the differences
| Long nardy | Backgammon (short nardy) | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting position | All 15 checkers on one point, the head | Spread over four points: 2, 5, 3 and 5 |
| Direction | Both players move the same way round the board | Players move toward each other |
| Hitting | None | A single checker (blot) can be hit and sent to the bar |
| Closed point | Any point with even one opposing checker | A point with two or more opposing checkers |
| The head rule | Only one checker off the head per turn (except 6-6, 4-4, 3-3 on the first turn) | — |
| Six points in a row | Not allowed until an opposing checker has passed it | Allowed (a full prime) |
| First move | The starter rolls both dice again | Played with the two opening dice |
| Starting pip count | 360 each | 167 each |
| Points per game on NARDEON | 1 or 2 (mars) | 1, 2 (gammon) or 3 (backgammon) |
The starting positions
How the games feel
Long nardy: a battle for space
With no hitting, a single checker closes a point to your opponent. The game is slow and positional: you bring checkers off the head one at a time, take key points, build blocks and try to leave your opponent with no good moves. Mistakes rarely lose instantly, but they add up. More in long nardy strategy.
Backgammon: attack and risk
In backgammon you're constantly weighing risk: leave a blot and it may be hit and sent back to the start. Games are shorter and can turn around in a single roll. Making points in your home board, escaping your back checkers and timing your attacks are the main themes.
Names and where each game is played
Long nardy also goes by long backgammon, narde, nardi or nard. It's the main form of the game in Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Related no-hitting games exist elsewhere — Moultezim in Turkey, Fevga in Greece — but their rules differ in the details.
Backgammon is the version known around the world; in Russia it's called short nardy. Internationally it's often played with a doubling cube. NARDEON doesn't use one in either game.
Which should you play?
- Pick long nardy if you enjoy planning, blocking and slow positional battles — or if that's the game your family plays.
- Pick backgammon if you like sharp tactics, hitting and quick games with plenty of twists.
- Try both. Each takes a few minutes to learn, and on NARDEON you can play either against the computer straight away.
Full rules: long nardy rules and backgammon rules. New to both? Start with how to play.
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FAQ
Is long nardy the same as backgammon?
No. They use the same equipment, but in long nardy all checkers start on one point, both players move in the same direction and there's no hitting. Backgammon — called short nardy in Russia — has hitting, the bar and a spread-out starting position.
What is short nardy?
Short nardy is the Russian name for backgammon. The rules are the same: players move toward each other and single checkers can be hit.
Which is harder, long nardy or backgammon?
Neither is simply harder. Long nardy is slower and more positional; backgammon is faster and more tactical, with more sudden swings. Many players find long nardy calmer to learn.
Is there a gammon in long nardy?
Yes, it's called a mars: the loser hasn't borne off any checkers, and it's worth 2 points. There's no triple win (backgammon or koks) in long nardy on NARDEON.
Can I play both games on NARDEON?
Yes. Both are available in every mode — random opponent, a friend by link, the computer and two players on one screen.
Updated: October 24, 2026