Sheesh Besh

How to play

1. Each player has 15 checkers on 24 points in the standard layout: 2 on the 24-point, 5 on the 13, 3 on the 8 and 5 on the 6. The two players move in opposite directions.
2. Each player throws one die to start; the higher starts with a fresh throw of both dice. Doubles are played four times.
3. Both dice must be used when possible; if only one can be, it must be the larger. One checker may take both dice when the point in between is open. With no move at all, the turn passes.
4. A point with two or more of your opponent's checkers is closed to you.
5. Landing on a lone opposing checker hits it to the bar. Its owner must bring it back in on your home quarter before moving anything else; if both entry points are closed, their turn passes.
6. You may bear off only once all fifteen are in your home quarter. The exact die bears a checker off its point, and a higher die bears off the farthest checker when none sits farther back.

Winning and scoring

• The first to bear off every checker wins the game and 1 point, or 2 (mars) if the loser bore off none.
• There is no doubling cube and no triple win.
• The first to 3 points wins the match; you can choose 1, 5 or 7 instead.