Uckers Rules Variations

In our digital version of the game, if you have thrown double one on your first throw and have benefited from all of your pieces being brought into play, if you throw double one again on your second throw, all of your pieces are returned to base.

If you roll six sixes in a go in your turn, (not as uncommon as you might think!), then all of your pieces are returned to base.  Note: if you are unable to physically move pieces (i.e. all available pieces are in a mixie blob behind your opponent's blob), you must still throw the dice as you could still suffer the consequences of this rule.

Similar to throwing a six where you get another turn, if you are playing this rule variation, you also get another turn if you throw a double.

This rule can only be selected in conjunction with 'Roll again on a double'.  If you throw three doubles consecutively in your turn, all of your pieces are returned to base. Note: if you are unable to physically move pieces (i.e. all available pieces are in a mixie blob behind your opponent's blob), you must still throw the dice as you could still suffer the consequences of this rule.

Probably the most complicated of all rule variations, but definitely the most exciting!  To explain this, here are the formal rules as they relate to suck backs - they are well worth getting to know and use in your games:

To remove an opponent’s counter or blob already in their home channel, a counter must first be positioned on the square at the foot of the channel.

1. As with normal challenges, a counter cannot be moved into position and begin a Suck-Back on the same turn.
2. Once a counter is positioned, a player can elect to attempt Suck-Back BEFORE throwing the dice by announcing “Suck-Back on ‘x’” where ‘x’ is the number of squares your opponents counter is up the channel (counting from the challenging counter).
3. To succeed a player must then throw that number on either dice or in total.
4. In addition, if the opponent player has two single counters in the channel, then only one is elected. However, if both dice thrown correspond to two separate opponent’s single counters in the channel, then both are Sucked-Back and placed back into base.
5. Whatever the Suck-Back throw achieves, the challenging player moves one square round the board and their turn is over.
6. If two counters in the channel are in a blob, then both counters must be removed at the same time with the correct double thrown.
7. Suck-Back cannot be attempted on a three-counter blob.
8. A player cannot reach over a blob in the channel to Suck-Back a single counter closer to home. However, a single counter can be Sucked-Back if it is closer than the blob.
9. If the player who is attempting the Suck-Back has a blob on the foot of the channel, then only one counter moves on one square, not both, thus splitting the blob and providing a second chance at a Suck-Back.
10. Mixie-blobs cannot suck back.
11. If a player throws a six during a Suck-Back attempt, it cannot be used elsewhere in the game and does not denote another turn.
12. A player cannot use the non-contributing dice to move another counter on the board.

Take some time to familiarise yourself with this rule - it really is a game-changer!

This variation is suck backs in reverse.  Again, a little more complicated that the other rule variations, but worth knowing and using in game play.

1. The player with a counter in the channel announces “Blow-Back” and the requisite number of squares back to the base square of the channel and the opponent’s counter
2. If successful with either die or the total of both dice the opponent’s counter is sent back to base and the challenger’s counter is moved to replace it at the base of the channel.
3. If a player fails to Blow-Back, they remain on the same square.
4. As with Suck-Backs, if there is a two counter blob at the base of the channel, a player must throw a double of the requisite number to succeed.
5. Blow-Backs cannot be attempted on a 3- or 4- counter blob.
6. A player can Blow-Back a mixie-blob, as it only counts as a single counter.
7. If a player throws a six, it cannot be used elsewhere in the game and does not denote another turn.
8. A player cannot use the non-contributing die to move another counter on the board.

 

A running hack is where a player can use the same counter to knock off two of their opponent’s counters using the two values on the dice.  

 

 

The Uckers.Com video on rule variations

For a more graphic explanation of these rules, together with imagery on how these are actually played, why not check out our video on rule variations on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfiQemIvA50&t=24s