I'm just getting into Backgammon and noticed this 3+ player variant. It looks very interesting but what I'm finding is there are many different rules variations for Chouette. It seems each set of rules I've read are slightly different. Is there one set of generally accepted rules I could find? Rules for a major tournament maybe?

One rule that bothers me and has been inconsistent in the rules I've read is...

'The team captain can't consult a team memeber unless said team memeber has doubled his cube.'

Other rules have the team captain being able to consult anyone from the start. Which is the more commonly used rule?

Chouette is a great social game and, I've found, a really good way to learn as you're discussing pros and cons of the move and the cube all the way through.

This is a new game for me too so I don't know what "THE" rules are, but i can tell you a few of our house rules:

- The team is involved in all move decisions, the captain has the final say. There's no way i am not being involved in a decision when my money is on the table!

- Each player has his own cube and may double at any time, regardless of what the captain does.

- If the box doubles, and the captain drops, the game is over (unless one of the team has a live cube in play, then that guy has to complete the game)

Again, I must stress that this is just the way our little social group plays. I can't advise on more universally accepted rules, but these ones work well for us.

Agreed, chouette's are great fun and a great way to learn. Unfortunately in my chouette, everyone is similarly unskilled, and so discussions tend to be relatively short, as nobody ever knows the correct answer!

I play under the same rules as Kamba, however the official (I think) rules can be found here: http://www.bkgm.com/variants/Chouette-ABA.html

Enjoy!

Our chouette functions the same way - consulting right from the start.

The trouble was ok some players started having debates about how the team would play the opening roll or if the box won the opening how to play the 2nd roll. This became a pain so we instigated a rule that there was no consulting on the teams first roll. This made things much better.

Also if you find that you are winning most of the time, then remember to take away the score sheet so no one notices.

Yes quite right! A very important one for the longevity of the group. :-)

consulting games are fun with the right people


non consulting goes faster and less problems


I perfer heads up play.

full consulting is awful. don't do it.