Barsis Online
Play Barsis free on JAWNA with friends in a browser, no download. Share a private table link, enjoy voice chat, or use the iPhone and Android app.
Why play Barsis on JAWNA?
- Mic and voice chat right at the Barsis table: talk to the other players while you play.
- Quick match finds you a table with new people fast, or make a private table and send your friends the link.
- No download: it runs in the browser on phone and computer, and there is a JAWNA phone app too.
- Arabic first, with English. Made for the Gulf and the Arab world.
- Free. Extras (table and card looks) are optional, with coins.
- 100+ games in one place: Baloot, Jackaroo, Kout, Tarneeb, Hand, Konkan, Ludo, Dominoes and more.
- Fair play: reports, bans and moderators.
Barsis: goal and players
Play Barsis online on JAWNA at jawna.app. Check the goal and supported player counts before inviting your group. Read the rules even if you know the game: familiar names can have different variants, and your usual house rules may differ from the selected version.
Supported table sizes: 2, 3 or 4 players. Choose a player count in the game settings. In partner variants, check seats and teams first. In individual formats, each player competes for their own result. The in-game How to play screen provides details. Agree on the variant before your first round together.
How to play: rules
- Six cowrie shells; the closed ones (toothed slit facing up) count. 0 Shakkeh = 6, 1 Dest = 10 + Khal, 2/3/4 = that many, 5 Benj = 25 + Khal, 6 Bara = 12. After 0, 1, 5 or 6 you throw again, until a 2, 3 or 4.
- Spend your throws one by one: pick a throw, then a pawn. Khal is 1.
- Bring pawns in from your home pad with Dest (the castle square, with the gold tower, at the tip of the arm to your right), Benj (the gold diamond square on that arm) or Khal (the first square of your Kitchen path).
- Each pawn goes down your coloured Kitchen path, one full lap of the board, then back up into the Kitchen (the gold star in the middle) with the exact count.
- Land on an opponent to send it home, except on the castle squares: they are safe and you can’t land on a pawn there. Your own pawns don’t protect each other.
- Throws you can’t use are lost. First with all four pawns in the Kitchen wins.
Scoring and winning
Throws you can’t use are lost. First with all four pawns in the Kitchen wins.
Tips and strategy
Evaluate each available throw separately instead of treating throws as a freely divisible total. Dast, Banj and Khal offer different entry choices, so check the entry point before moving the nearest soldier automatically. A safe fortress square can protect an advanced soldier, but stacking your own soldiers does not create safety. Near the kitchen, plan for the exact finishing count; spreading soldiers can leave more usable throws on the next turn.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I play Barsis online with a mic?
On JAWNA (jawna.app). Every Barsis table has a mic and voice chat, so you talk to the players while you play.
Where can I play Barsis with new people?
On JAWNA pick Barsis and tap Quick match to get players fast, or make a private table for your friends.
Do I need to download an app to play Barsis?
No. Open jawna.app in the browser on your phone or computer and play right away. There is also a JAWNA phone app if you like.
Is there a free app for Barsis?
You can start on JAWNA and play in a browser for free. Optional in-app extras are available; review any purchase option before choosing it. The download page lists current mobile installation options.
How many people can play Barsis on JAWNA?
The available player counts are 2, 3 or 4 players. Pick the format that fits your group before starting; a game with multiple supported sizes does not necessarily support every number between them.
How do you win at Barsis?
Throws you can’t use are lost. First with all four pawns in the Kitchen wins.
How do I invite friends to Barsis?
Create a private table from the game and share its link with friends. Check that everyone has chosen the same game and the seats suit your group before starting, particularly when a partner is involved.
Do I have to use my microphone?
Table voice chat is available when you allow microphone access. Check your microphone and mute state before talking, and respect the other players’ privacy and the community rules.
Are the Barsis rules the same as our house rules?
Some details or variants may differ. Read the summary and the in-game How to play screen together, then agree on the variant. The rules of the selected mode determine the round.
Can a beginner learn Barsis on JAWNA?
Start with the instructions and play with friends who know the game. Understand the goal and scoring before concentrating on advanced moves or speed.
Where can I find other games for my group?
Open JAWNA’s games directory and choose by player count and game idea. There are card games, board games and puzzles, so you can switch according to your time, group size and preferred challenge.
Can I read Barsis rules and scoring before signing in?
Yes. This public guide covers the implemented rules and the result, and its rules, scoring and strategy sections are accessible without an account.
Start a session with friends
Use Play now, sign in, then choose a private table and share its link, or select Quick match where available.
Related games
How to play – step by step
- Count the closed shells – Throw six cowrie shells; the closed ones (toothed slit facing up) count.
- Throw again – After 0, 1, 5 or 6 you throw again, until a 2, 3 or 4. Then spend your throws one by one: pick a throw, then a pawn.
- Bring pawns in – Dest brings a pawn in on the castle at the tip of the arm to your right, Benj on that arm’s gold diamond, Khal on the first square of your path. Land on an opponent to send it home; castles are safe.
- Into the Kitchen – Each pawn goes down your coloured path, one full lap of the board, then back up into the Kitchen (the gold star) with the exact count. First with all four in wins.
History & origins
Barsis, also called Barjis, is a Middle Eastern member of the Pachisi race-game family, especially associated with the Levant.
Traditional sets often use a cloth board and cowrie shells. The shell results determine movement along the cross-shaped track.
Its regional names and house rules reflect a game passed between generations. The history of the wider family is older than any single modern Barsis ruleset.