Both sides race the same way. No hitting; later doubles cascade up to 6-6.
There is no hitting and no bar in Gulbara.
Movement
Both players move in the same direction, each starting from their own corner with all 15 checkers stacked on one point.
Blocking
A point holding even one checker of either colour is closed to the opponent. When one checker uses both dice, every point it lands on along the way must be open too.
Cascading doubles
During each player’s first three rolls, doubles are played four times as usual. From the fourth roll on, a double is played four times and then every higher double follows up to 6-6: 3-3 means four 3s, then four 4s, four 5s and four 6s. If you can’t finish, your opponent plays everything you left over before taking their own turn.
Bearing off
Only once all 15 checkers are home. Bear off with an exact roll. If that point is empty, you must move a checker from a higher point instead. Only when no higher checkers remain may you bear off from the highest occupied point.
Scoring
1 point for a win, 2 for a double win if your opponent has not borne off any checkers. There is no doubling cube.
Guided Gulbara game
Short lessons on the real board with the dice set for you: moving, the rules that matter, and how to win.
Try Gulbara
Practise against the computer with no clock, or play someone online.