Tables

Sympkyn of the Moor

Number of players: 2 Type of game: Dice Period: 100+

Tables is an ancient board game dating back to at least the Roman Empire, considered a direct predecessor to modern backgammon. It combines luck and strategy with dice rolls to move pieces around a board with the goal of bearing them off first.

History of Tables

  • Origins: The game’s earliest forms appear in Roman times (around 1st century CE), called Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum (“Game of Twelve Lines”).

  • Evolution: Developed through the Middle Ages in Europe, evolving various rule sets and boards.

  • Relation to Backgammon: Tables is the ancestor of backgammon, sharing the same basic mechanics but often using different boards and rules.

  • Cultural Spread: Popular throughout Europe, particularly England, France, and the Nordic countries.

Traditional Equipment

  • Board: Rectangular board divided into 24 narrow triangles called points, arranged in four quadrants of six points each.

  • Pieces: Each player has 15 pieces (men, checkers, or counters).

  • Dice: Two six-sided dice used to determine moves.

  • Players: Two players, sitting opposite each other.

Objective

Move all your pieces around the board and bear them off before your opponent.

Basic Rules

Setup

  • Each player places 15 pieces on the board, typically arranged on specific points (varies by version).

  • Players sit opposite, moving pieces in opposite directions around the board.

Gameplay

  1. Players roll two dice and move pieces accordingly, either moving one piece the total of both dice or two pieces separately.

  2. Pieces move forward along points in a specific direction.

  3. A single piece on a point is vulnerable and can be “hit” by the opponent, sending it to the bar (middle of the board).

  4. Players must re-enter hit pieces before moving other pieces.

  5. Points occupied by two or more opposing pieces block the opponent from landing there.

Bearing Off

  • Once all pieces reach the home quadrant, players begin bearing off by exact dice rolls.

  • The first to bear off all pieces wins.

Optional and Variant Rules

1. Hitting and Re-entry Variations

  • Some versions forbid hitting pieces on the starting point.

  • Variations on how and when re-entry occurs from the bar.

2. Doubling Cube

  • Not originally part of tables but later introduced in backgammon to double stakes.

3. Different Board Layouts

  • Some versions used boards with 12 points per side.

  • Different starting arrangements for pieces.

4. Single Dice Variants

  • In some historical versions, a single die was used instead of two.

Summary Table

Rule Area Details
Players 2
Board 24 points arranged in 4 quadrants (12 per player)
Pieces 15 per player
Dice Two six-sided dice
Objective Move all pieces around the board and bear off first
Movement Dice roll determines moves; can split moves between pieces
Hitting Single pieces can be hit and sent to bar
Blocking Points with two or more opposing pieces block movement
Bearing Off After all pieces reach home quadrant; exact dice needed