Backgammon
A game so popular that it was played by kings and slaves; there is much speculation as to where the game of Backgammon actually originated from. Whether it was Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rome or Egypt, we know a game resembling modern day Backgammon involving two dice and 60 checkers was definitely being played. The oldest set of checkers ever found date back to circa 3000 BC Iran. To find out how the game is played today, take a look at our step by step guide and get accustomed to set up of the board, movement of the checkers and course of the game. Finish up your Backgammon course of discovery by finding out where best to play Backgammon online. To discover more, simply read on below.
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Page Topics Backgammon Origins: Historical Overview and Facts
Backgammon is enjoyed by commoners and Kings alike, early game versions – the likely predecessors of the modern game of Backgammon as we know it – were played in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rome and Iran. In ancient Egypt, it was the game of ‘Senet’ that resembled modern day backgammon as the moves of game were controlled by the roll of the dice. In Mesopotamia, the royal game of ‘Ur’ is said to be the ancestor of many contemporary table games, backgammon to name just one. Traces of the game date back to circa 3000 BC in Iran where archaeologists discovered two dice and 60 checkers - the oldest set ever discovered.
Similarly in Rome, the ancient Romans played several games comparable to backgammon. Ludus duodecim scriptorium – literally meaning the game of twelve lines, was played on a board comprising 3 rows totalling 12 points each and checkers were moved across these lines based on the roll of the dice. The connection to contemporary backgammon lies in the aim of the game – to be the first to do away with one’s checkers.
Moving on to more recent times, the ‘Game of Tables’ – jeux de tables – is a more modern predecessor of the backgammon game, surfaced in France during the 11th century and was popular among seasoned gamblers of the time, so popular in fact that Louis IX issued a decree in 1254 prohibiting court officials and subjects from playing the game. Not only was backgammon played in France, it was also popular in Germany throughout the 12th century and had reached as far as Iceland by the following century.
The Oxford dictionary first documents the existence of the game in 1650 and it is likely that the name itself derives from a combination of the two words ‘back’ and ‘gamen’ -meaning to play or game.
Moving along to more recent times, a major advance in the game of backgammon itself
The most recent major development in backgammon was the addition of the doubling cube. Originating from New York City’s Lower East Side in the 1920’s, the cube necessitated players not only choose the best move in given position, it also required then to estimate the probability of winning from that particular position. The cube morphed backgammon into the value-driven contemporary game as we know it today.
Backgammon has most certainly withstood the test of time. The introduction and fast progression of the internet has seen backgammon secure a popular place among players of the online gaming community. Not only is the game of backgammon popular in the traditional sense when played face to face by opponents, it is now by and large one of the fast paced and exciting games in a line up of online casino games popular the world over.
Backgammon Rules: A Step by Step Guide of How to Pay the Game
The rules of Backgammon are basic and easy enough to follow. That’s why the game is enjoyed by players as young as 6 years of age. If little players follow the game, then so can you. The essential premise is that 2 players compete against each other with 15 checkers each over a board with 24 positions, also known as points. Movement of the checkers is determined by the throw of a pair of dice, which alternates between players. Movement of the checkers follows and reflects the roll of the dice.
The object of Backgammon is for each player to bring all his men into his home board, and then to bear them off the board. The first player to ‘bear off’ all checkers from the board wins the game. The game essentially then is a race to clear the board of your checkers. The first player to get all his men off the board is the winner.
To best present the rules in a logical order, they are broken down into sections below:
Set-up
Backgammon is played at a table by 2 opponents facing one another.
The movement of checkers or ‘men’ as they are also known is governed by a pair of dice which are thrown from a cup to maintain random throws.
Before a game begins, either of the players may request to roll for dice or checkers – the choice of seats.
Backgammon games are relatively short compared to others so that matches are usually played in a series based on a predetermined number. E.g. best of 3 or best of 5.
A standard Backgammon game starts with the checkers in the positions as pictured below. Different variations of the game call for boards A standard game of Backgammon has the following arrangement of checkers at the beginning of a game. Remember there are several variants of the game in which the starting setup for the checkers is different. Below is the standard.
Rolling the Dice
A player can ask to mix the dice at any point during a match, in which case all four dice are put in the cup and rolled. First the opponent chooses one die from the pair and is followed by the roller. The opponent then selects a second die and is followed by the roller again, who takes the fourth and final die.
Moving on, each player rolls a single die for the opening roll. The player who rolls the highest number is the first to play. If the numbers rolled are the same, the players must roll again until one rolls higher and establishes the order of play. Beyond the initial opening roll, the roll of the dice and moving of checkers alternates between the two players. After the opening roll, the players alternate rolling the dice and moving the checkers.
Where the dice are concerned, when they are rolled, they must come to rest on a flat area of the board to the right of the player. If the dice do not land flat, they are said to be clocked and they must be rolled again. Before the dice are touched by either player, they must come to a complete stop. Similarly, the dice may not be rolled until your opponent has completed play. If either of these scenarios occurs, the dice roll must be repeated according to the rules.
When rolled, the dice must come to rest flat on the section of the board to the player's right. If either of the dice is not flat, they are said to be cocked and must be re-rolled.
Dice must come to a complete stop before they may be touched by the player. Also, they may not be rolled until an opponent has completed his play. In both cases, the dice rolled must be rolled again if not in accordance with these rules.
A ‘play’ or a ‘turn’ as it is also known is only complete when a player picks up the dice. If the player only uses one die, the opponent can insist the player uses both to complete the play. Once a player has picked up the dice, they can not put them back on the board and resume the turn.
Checker Movements – How the Dice Affects Play
The movement of checkers around the board is dictated by the numbers shown on the dice – aka pips. The rule surrounding the movement of checkers is listed below.
Each die represents a separate checkers move. It is possible to move one checker for the total amount as shown on both dice, or to split the numbers and move both the dice. For example, a player throws a total of 8 and the dice show a 6 and a 2. The player is then able to one checker a total of 8 spaces, or move one checker 6 spaces and the other two.
You may move a checker to any point occupied by your own checkers or to a point with 1 or none of your opponents checkers on it. A checker may not be moved to a point with two or more of your opponents checkers on it.
If a player rolls doubles (where the same number comes up on both dice), they may move double the amount shown. This is usually an advantage and games are often won by the player who rolls more doubles. For example: If a double 2 is rolled, the player may move two points four times, in any possible combination.
- Any one checker a total of eight spaces
- Any two checkers a total of four spaces
- Any two checkers a total of two spaces each and another a total of four spaces
- Any one checker a total of six spaces and another two spaces
- Any four checkers two spaces each
The full roll must be used if possible including doubles. If only one number can be played it must be the higher number of the two if possible. If doubles are thrown, you must play as many of the 4 as possible.
Moving one or more checkers the number on each of the 2 dice thrown. For example, if 5,3 is rolled, the player may move the first checker 5 points forward, and another checker 3 points forward. Also, one checker may be moved twice, so long as each move is independent of the other, i.e. the checker is moved 5 points forward to an available point (See Checker Movement Rule 3) and then an additional 3 points. The order of movement is not fixed, i.e., the player may choose to move his checker 3 points forward, and then 5.
Entering a checker from the bar which has been hit by an opponent (See Checker Movement Rule 3) the number of points shown on either die, to an open point in the opponent's home board.
Bearing off of a checker in the player's home board, only once all of that player's checkers have been moved into this quadrant.
If doubles are rolled, the player must play each die twice. For example, when a player rolls 6-6, he must move one or more of his checkers a total of 24 pips (6 X 2 + 6 X 2 = 24).
A player may move his checker to any point on which there are no other checkers, or to a point which is occupied by another of the player's checkers. Also, if there is only one opposing checker on a point, a player may move his checker here, called a hit. The opponent's hit checker is then returned to the start of the game and placed on the bar to await re-entry. A player may not move his checker to a point on which there are 2 or more of the opponent's checkers. It is never possible to have one of each player's checkers on one point at the same time.
A checker which has been hit and placed on the bar may re-enter through his opponent's home board, providing the player rolls a number which permits his checker to be moved to an open point. If a player has more than one checker on the bar, he may not move any other checkers until all checkers on the bar are back in play.
Once all of a player's checkers are moved into that player's home board, he may begin removing them from the board, or bearing them off. This may be done in the following manner:
Once in position to bear off, a player may do so from a point corresponding to the number on a single die, or from the highest occupied point which is lower than the number indicated by the die. For example, a rolled 5 may be used to bear off a checker on the 4-point only if there are no other checkers occupying the 5-, or 6-point.
If the number for an unoccupied point is thrown, no checker can be borne off if there are any checkers on a higher number. For example, if a player rolls a 3, he must move forward any checker that occupies the 4-, 5-, or 6-point, rather than bearing off one on the 1- or 2-points.
You are not obliged to bear off a checker if you can move another checker forward from another, higher point.
