Tables (board game)
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{{ Infobox_Game
| subject_name = Tables family
| image_link = [[Image:Bg board L.jpg|center|270px]]
| image_caption = A backgammon board from Lebanon
| players = 2 (more in some variants)
| setup_time = 0–30 seconds
| playing_time = 5–30 minutes
| random_chance = [[Dice]]
| skills = [[Strategy]], [[Probability]]
}}
'''Tables''' is a general name given to a class of [[board game]]s similar to [[backgammon]], played on a board with two rows of 12 vertical markings called "points". Players roll dice to determine the movement of pieces. Tables games are among the oldest known board games, and many variants are played throughout the world.
==History==
The [[ancient Egypt]]ians played a game called [[Senet]], which was similar to modern tables games, with moves controlled by the roll of dice.<ref>Hayes, William C. "Egyptian Tomb Reliefs of the Old Kingdom", ''The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin'', New Series 4:7. March 1946. pp 170-178.</ref> The [[Royal Game of Ur]], played in ancient [[Mesopotamia]], is a more likely ancestor. Recent excavations at the "[[Shahr-i Sokhta|Burnt City]]" in [[Iran]] showed that a similar game existed there around 3000 BC. The artifacts include two dice and 60 pieces. The set is believed to be 100 to 200 years older than the sets found in [[Ur]].<ref name="persian-journal"> [http://www.iranian.ws/cgi-bin/iran_news/exec/view.cgi/2/4743 "Iran's Burnt City Throws up World’s Oldest Backgammon."] ''Persian Journal.'' December 4, 2004. Retrieved on August 5, 2006.</ref>
The [[Ancient Rome|ancient Romans]] played a number of games in this family. ''[[Ludus duodecim scriptorum]]'' ("game of twelve lines") used a board with three rows of 12 points each, and the pieces were moved across all three rows according to the roll of dice. Not much specific text about the gameplay has survived.<ref name="austin-roman1">Austin, Roland G. "Roman Board Games. I", ''Greece & Rome'' 4:10, October 1934. pp. 24-34.</ref> ''[[Tabula]]'', meaning "table" or "board", was similar to modern backgammon in that a board with 24 points was used, and the object of the game was to be the first to bear off all of one's checkers. Three dice were used instead of two, and opposing checkers moved in opposite directions.<ref name="austin-zeno">Austin, Roland G. "Zeno's Game of τάβλη", ''The Journal of Hellenic Studies'' 54:2, 1934. pp 202-205.</ref> <ref name="austin-roman2">Austin, Roland G. "Roman Board Games. II", ''Greece & Rome'' 4:11, February 1935. pp 76-82.</ref>
[[Image:Buzurgmihr-nard.jpg|thumb|[[Burzoe]] demonstrates the game of [[nard (game)|nard]] to the Indian [[Raja]]s]]
In the 11th century [[Shahnameh]], the [[Persia]]n poet [[Ferdowsi]] credits [[Burzoe]] with the invention of ''nard'' in the 6th century. He describes an encounter between Burzoe and a [[Raja]] visiting from [[India]]. The Raja introduces the game of [[chess]], and Burzoe demonstrates nard, played with dice made from [[ivory]] and [[teak]].<ref name="wilkinson">Wilkinson, Charles K. "Chessmen and Chess", ''The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin''. New Series 1:9, May 1943. pp. 271-279</ref>
The ''jeux de tables'' first appeared in [[France]] during the 11th century and became a frequent pastime for gamblers. In 1254, [[Louis IX of France|Louis IX]] issued a decree prohibiting his court officials and subjects from playing the games.<ref name="lillich">Lillich, Meredith Parsons. "The Tric-Trac Window of Le Mans", ''The Art Bulletin'' 65:1, March 1983. pp. 23-33.</ref> While it is mostly known for its extensive discussion of chess, the [[Alfonso X]] manuscript ''[[Libro de los juegos]]'', completed in 1283, describes rules for a number of dice and tables games.<ref name="wollesen">Wollesen, Jens T. "Sub specie ludi...: Text and Images in Alfonso El Sabio's Libro de Acedrex, Dados e Tablas", ''Zeitschrift für Kunstgeschichte'' 53:3, 1990. pp. 277-308.</ref>
In [[English language|English]], the word "tables" is derived from [[Latin]] ''tabula''. Its first use referring to board games documented by the [[Oxford English Dictionary]] was circa AD 700.<ref name="oed">"table, n.", ''[http://dictionary.oed.com The Oxford English Dictionary].'' Second Edition, 1989. (Subscription required)</ref> During the 16th century, the name ''tables'' was sometimes also used to describe [[chess]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Tables should not be confused with ''[[Tafl games|Tafl]]'', an unrelated class of board games (albeit linguistically related) played in medieval Scandinavia.
==In the Middle East and Central Asia==
The game known in the West as [[backgammon]] is played widely in the [[Middle East]] and [[Central Asia]]. It is known as '''''ifranjiah''''' in [[Arabic language|Arabic]] (meaning "[[Frankish]]"), and is referred to as '''''takhte nard''''' in [[Iran]]. In [[Israel]] and the Middle East as well, it is known as '''''shesh besh''''' (meaning "six and five").
The name '''nardshir''' comes from the [[Persian language|Persian]] ''nard'' (Wooden block) and ''shir'' (lion) referring to the two type of pieces used in play. A common legend associates the game with the founder of the [[Sassanian dynasty]], [[Ardshir]]. The oldest known reference to the game is thought to be a passage in the [[Talmud]], although some claim it refers to the [[Greece|Greek]] game [[Kubeia]].
Many of the early [[Arabic]] texts which refer to the game comment on the debate regarding the legality and morality of playing the game. This debate was settled by the [[8th century|eighth century]] when all four [[Islam|Muslim]] schools of jurispudence declared the game to be [[Haraam]], however this did nothing to stop the growth in popularity of the game in the Muslim world and the game is still played today in many Arab countries.
===Mahbusa===
'''''Mahbusa''''' means "imprisoned". Each player begins with 15 checkers on his opponent's 24-point. If a checker is hit, it is not placed on the bar, but instead, the hitting piece is placed on top, and the point is then controlled by the hitting player. The checker which has been hit is '''imprisoned''' and cannot be moved until the opponent removes his piece. Sometimes, a rule is used that requires a player to bring his first checker around to his home board before moving any others. In any case, a rapid advance to one's own home board is desirable, as imprisoning the opponent's checkers there is highly advantageous. Mahbusa is similar to ''[[Tapa (game)|tapa]]''.
<!-- these were previously included in this section, but there is no explanation of how they are played. i have commented them out.
# '''''maghribiyya'''''. <!-- what does this mean?
# '''''tawlet zaher''''', meaning "table of dice".-->
An interesting feature of tables play in some Arab countries is that [[Persian language|Persian]] or [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]] numbers, rather than Arabic ones, are called out by a player announcing his [[dice]] rolls.
===Narde===
People in the [[Iranian plateau]] and [[Caucasus]] region, especially in [[Iran]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], are very fond of playing narde. A version known as ''short narde'' is a simplified form of ifranjiah. In Georgia, ifranjiah is played as elsewhere, but called "nardi". In Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, many experienced players also play '''long narde''', which some see as requiring deeper strategy. As in mahbusa, all 15 of a player's checkers are initially positioned on his own 24-point, but there is a major difference. One is forbidden to put his checker at a point occupied by one's opponent's checker, so there is no hitting or imprisonment in the long narde game. The main strategy is to secure playing "big pairs" by one's own checkers and prevent as much as possible doing the same by the opponent.
===Gul bara===
{{main|Gul bara}}
'''Gul bara''', sometimes referred to as "'''rosespring backgammon'''" or "'''crazy narde'''", is a variant popular in some [[Arab]] countries. An unusual feature is that there is no hitting.
==In Greece==
[[Image:Old Backgammon Vasa.jpg|thumb|Brädspel game recovered from the [[Regalskeppet Vasa|Vasa]]]]
In [[Greece]], tables games are called '''tavli''' (related to the word ''tavla'', meaning "board" or "table", and [[cognate]] to the Latin ''tabula''). There are three major variants, '''''portes''''', '''''plakoto''''', and '''''fevga'''''. Portes resembles [[backgammon]], with minor variations: there is no doubling cube, and a backgammon counts only as a gammon (called ''diplo'', Greek for ''double''). Plakoto is very similar to mahbusa or [[Tapa (game)|tapa]], while fevga is similar to narde or the Turkish variant '''''moultezim'''''. The three are normally played consecutively, in three-, five- or seven-point matches.<ref name="bkgm-tavli">[http://www.bkgm.com/variants/Tavli.html "Tavli (Greek Backgammon)".] ''Backgammon Galore''. Retrieved on August 8, 2006.</ref>
==In Japan==
{{main|Sugoroku}}
There are two games known as ''[[sugoroku]]'' (双六) in [[Japan]]. One more closely resembles [[snakes and ladders]], while the other is played on a 24-point tables board, using standard tables equipment. The starting position is identical to that of [[backgammon]]. It differs from most other tables variants in that the pieces are never borne off. Additionally, the use of primes is not permitted.
==In Romania==
In [[Romania]], one popular tables game is called ''tablă'' (meaning "board", cognate of the Latin ''tabula''). The game is very popular among Romanians and is similar to [[backgammon]], with two variations: there is no doubling cube and a backgammon counts only as a gammon (called ''marţ''). Matches are usually played to three points.
==In Sweden==
[[Image:Backgammon board.jpg|thumb|A backgammon set, with two dice cups and a doubling cube]]
'''Svensk brädspel''' ("Swedish tables") is a variant played in [[Sweden]]. Players starts with all 15 of their checkers on opposite corners of the board, and play around clockwise. Besides bearing off, there are several other ways to win, such as arranging all of one's checkers in certain pre-determined patterns, or by hitting so many checkers that one's opponent can not bring them in again. Additional points are awarded for a victory while one's opponent has checkers on the bar. Brädspel is played without the doubling cube.<ref name="helmfrid-bradspel">Helmfrid, Sten, ''et al.'' ''[http://www.vasamuseet.se/upload/the_game_of_swedish_tables.pdf The Game of Swedish Tables]'' <small>[PDF]</small>. February 26, 2003. Retrieved on August 12, 2006.</ref> Interest in brädspel experienced a resurgence following the recovery of a 17th century board from the wreck of the [[Regalskeppet Vasa|Vasa]].<ref name="vasa-museum">[http://www.vasamuseet.se/Vasamuseet/Om/Vasamuseets%20vanner/Bradspelsvanner.aspx?lang=en "Vasamuseet — The Swedish-Tables Association"], ''The Vasa Museum''. Retrieved on August 12, 2006.</ref>
==Backgammon and variants==
{{main|Backgammon}}
Backgammon is the most popular tables variant played in the West. Two players move their pieces in opposing directions, according to the rolls of dice. The use of a doubling cube allows players to increase the stakes of the game. The basis of the modern game can be traced to [[Medieval]] and [[Renaissance]] sources, and social and competitive play remain popular in many parts of the world. Backgammon has been studied considerably by [[computer science|computer scientists]], who have developed software that plays at the level of top human players.
==Historic tables variants==
[[Image:Alfonso-seis-dos-as.jpg|thumb|''Seis, dos, y as'' from the 13th century [[Libro de los juegos]]]]
Many of the ancestors of modern tables games are no longer widely played.
*[[Irish (game)|Irish]], popular 17th century British game.
*Games described in the 13th century [[Libro de los juegos]]:
**Doublets
**El Mundo
**Imperator
**[[Seven-sided backgammon]]
**Six, Deuce, and Ace
*[[Tabula]], 5th century Roman game.
*[[Ludus duodecim scriptorum]], 1st century Roman game.
{{clear}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.bkgm.com/variants/index.html Variants on Backgammon Galore]
{{tables games}}
[[Category:Tables games]]
[[Category:Traditional board games]]
[[ca:Taules]]
[[fr:Jeu de tables]]
[[sv:Bräde (spel)]]