Backgammon, dominoes and Basra 🎲
You can play Backgammon, Dominoes and Basra the way they're played in Egyptian coffeehouses, free in the browser on Yalla Ellab, against the computer, on a computer or a phone with no download or sign-up.
In Backgammon you roll the dice and bear off your 15 checkers before the computer, with an easy and a hard level and a gammon worth two points. In Dominoes you play against one, two or three opponents, match the ends and draw from the pile when you can't play, to 101 points. In Basra you capture the table by number or by sum, the jack sweeps the table, and a Basra scores 10, to 101 points.
How to play
- Open the game's page and press “Play now”.
- Backgammon: tap Roll the dice, tap the point with your checker, then tap the spot glowing green.
- Dominoes: tap a glowing tile in your hand. If it fits both ends, tap the green marker at the end you want, and if nothing fits, tap Draw.
- Basra: tap one of your cards once to see what it would capture, then tap it again to play it.
- On a keyboard, the arrow keys pick and Enter plays in all three.
Coffeehouse games
Backgammon, dominoes and cards, with the rules played in Egypt.
Good to know
- All three are against the computer only; there's no online play against other people.
- There's no real money and nothing to buy.
Questions and answers
Are these games free?
Yes, all three are free, with no sign-up and no in-game purchases.
Can I play against a friend?
Not yet: all three are against the computer.
How many players does Dominoes have?
You against one, two or three computer players, as you choose.
Does Backgammon have levels?
Yes, easy and hard.