History of Backgammon
The earliest versions of the game of Backgammon were played on wood and most often the markers were made of stone. Typically the dice were made of bones, wood, stone or sometimes even pottery.
Some early relics excavated from dig sites in Egypt, (believed to be dated from approximately 3000-1788BC) were found to be gaming boards with 3 rows of 10 squares (some had 3x12). This was known as Senat or the game of 30 squares, although the rules and if or how dice were used in this game remain a mystery. Similar boards were also found in King Tutankhamen's tomb and were dated approximately 1500 BC.
There were also wooden boards found in the royal tomb of the Ur al Chaldees that are dated approximately 2600BC. A set of rules was found in a tablet dated around 177BC.
The progression of the game can be seen in early versions of what was known as The Game of 12 Lines or Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum by the Romans in approximately 600AD. These were boards made of leather and the markers (15 each) were made of Ebony and Ivory.
During the Roman Conquest in the 1st century the game came to Britain. During that time it was known as Tabula. In fact, Tabula was the most popular gambling game of the time and was responsible for the gambling craze that was throughout Rome, until it was declared illegal late in the century.
The game had further progressed and evolved to what was known as Alea or The Art of Gambling With Dice by the 6th century. It appears there were different versions or variations of the game that used different starting positions and and marker movements. Alea is thought to be the closest predecessor to the current game of backgammon as we know it.
During the time frame of 700-800AD in Persia or Southwest Asia was a game called Nard. This game was very much like Alea, however it was played using only 2 dice. This game was also known by other names such as Nardshir, Nardeeshir and even Takhteh Nard (which means Battle on Wood).
It is believed that Nard was invented in West India, and was very popular in China from the mid 400'sAD until into 1000AD. The Japanese name for Nard was Sugoroku.
Throughout time, factors such as the spread of the Roman Empire, the occupation of Sicily by the Arabs in 902AD, the games of Tabula and Nard continued to spread. Also over time, the use of 2 dice to play Tabular became more popular than using 3 such as the original variations did.
Nard became quite popular during the middle ages and was often played in British Taverns. in fact, Queen Elizabeth I tried to ban it because it was gambled on so much in many taverns.
This game was known by so many different names depending on what country it was played. Some of the other names it was known as include, Puff in Germany, Swan-liu in China, Tavli in Greece and Tavlu in Turkey. It became known throughout Britain as Backgammon or Tables in the mid to late 1600's. Today in some countries it may still known by the old names listed above, as well as Tavole Reale in Italy, Gammon in Scotland, Tric-Trac in france, or Shesh Besh in Israel and Arabic.
During the early 1920's in New York a new variation was added to the game. This is when the doubling cube was first introduce. With the addition of the doubling cube, the skill level needed also increased which did help some with it's popularity.
The single biggest factor that increased the popularity of Backgammon as we know it today was in the 1970's. Then, Prince Alexis Obolensky organized the First Backgammon World Championship in the Bahamas. He also later published the book "Backgammon: The Action Game". Due to all the media attention surrounding the World Championship of Backgammon, it became quite popular until the 1980's when the video game craze diminished the popularity of many board games (also known as Parlor Games).
But, that has all changed recently.
With the inception of the Internet and Online Gaming in general, games of skill such as Backgammon have once again found their way back into the homes of millions of people. Playing Online Backgammon has become a regular pastime of many people throughout the world.
We recommend you read more about the many places to play Backgammon Online throughout our website and you too can enjoy the benefits of the World of Backgammon.
