BacTac 2026

BacTac is a dice-driven board game that combines elements of backgammon and tic-tac-toe with the goal of four-in-a-line.

BacTac is played on a square grid, or chequerboard; 6x6, 7x7 and 8x8 sizes work well. A pair of sequentially numbered dice (or an online dice roller) are needed, the highest number on which matches the number of squares on each side of the grid e.g. two dice numbered one to six used with a 6x6 grid.

Each player has their own set of counters and chooses a home corner of the grid to play from. Players take turns to roll the dice and count squares from their home corner in a straight line, with one right angle turn allowed, to decide where to place a counter. Rolling a double gives a player the chance to remove and replace one of their opponent's counters. To win, a player must get four counters lined-up next to each other — horizontal or vertical, never diagonal.

A game usually has several rounds. A doubling cube can be used to raise the stakes when playing for points as a round progresses. Chance plays a part but there is also a strategic element in reading the board, weighing the odds, and deciding whether to block your opponent or go for a win.

—description from the designer