About Backgammon
Backgammon began about 5,000 years ago. Archaeologists continue to dig up pieces of backgammon boards and sometimes they are even lucky enough to find a whole backgammon board. Thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia , backgammon was played similar to the way it is played today. Backgammon is the oldest known board game in history, even older than chess. Backgammon in ancient times evolved from its early name, Bac gamen, meaning back game.
Backgammon began in what is today Iraq , and variations of backgammon were played in nearby countries. In ancient Indian and Egyptian culture a variation of backgammon was played called Senat. Senat was a huge hit with both the Egyptian royalty and their slaves. Early Greek culture enjoyed a good game of backgammon, and adopted backgammon to fit their culture. The people of the Roman Empire were not ones to miss a good game of backgammon. The Romans played backgammon using three dice instead of the long-established convention of two dice.
Backgammon's popularity grew in leaps and bounds, from Greece to Rome to Persia where it was called Takhteh Nard, meaning Battle on Wood. Later, the Persians popularized the two-dice backgammon game again.
Backgammon continued its westward travels, and by the year 600, Backgammon reached the Anglo-Saxons. The Crusaders played backgammon and it was a very popular pastime, and called it Tabula, meaning tables.
Part of backgammon's enduring popularity is because of its flexibility. Anyone who lacked the proper board and accessories could always mold one from dirt and use stones to play. Dice could be quickly carved.
Known in medieval times as Bac Gamen, the name backgammon became of accept English in the middle of the 17 th century. Backgammon is in fact from the Welsh and means wee battle. One hundred years later, books about backgammon were printed which outlined the rules and told of backgammon's history. As people moved to the new world and the United States was born, backgammon and chess became very popular games with the early settlers. From 1837-1901 backgammon faded away, but it bounced back in popularity in America in the early 1900s, at the same time the doubling cube was invented and came into wide use. The doubling cube adds spice and challenge to backgammon and increased prize money for the winner. During the 20 th century backgammon tournaments were organized and backgammon strategies were enhanced and studied.
At the turn of the millennium, online backgammon came into play. Nowadays, backgammon continues to as a game of challenges and skill and is favored all over the world. The Internet offers players the chance to compete worldwide.
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