The earliest known board game, the Royal Game of Ur, was played in Mesopotamia nearly 5,000 years ago. Over time, similar games emerged across different cultures: the Egyptians played Senet, while the Romans enjoyed ludus duodecim scriptorum (“the game of twelve lines”), among others. Backgammon was inspired by these ancient games and gradually evolved into the modern form we know today, becoming one of the oldest board games still played worldwide.
Credit: nsop at Flickr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Board and Equipment
A backgammon board consists of 24 long triangles, called points, divided into four quadrants. The points alternate in color and are grouped into a home board and outer board for each player. A bar in the middle separates the two sides. Each player has 15 checkers, which begin on specific points depending on the starting setup. The game is played with two six-sided dice for movement and a doubling cube, a unique die marked with 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64, used to raise the stakes during play.
The Goal
The objective is simple: move all your checkers into your home board and then bear them off (remove them from the board) before your opponent does. The first to bear off all 15 checkers wins.
How the game is played
1. Movement of Checkers
Players roll two dice to determine how many points their checkers can move. For example, if a player rolls a 6 and a 4, they can move one checker 6 spaces and another 4 spaces, or a single checker 10 spaces by splitting the move into 6 and 4.
2. Hitting and Re-entry
If a checker lands on a point occupied by a single opposing checker, it is “hit” and placed on the bar. A checker on the bar must re-enter the game through the opponent’s home board before any other moves can be made.
3. Bearing Off
Once all of a player’s checkers are in their home board, they can begin bearing off by rolling dice that correspond to the points their checkers occupy. The first player to remove all 15 checkers wins.
Strategy and the doubling cube
What makes backgammon fascinating is the mix of luck and skill. The dice add chance, but good players think ahead, calculate risks, and adapt their moves to the situation. The doubling cube adds another twist: at any point, a player can propose to double the stakes. The opponent can accept or give up the game right there. This makes every decision a mix of strategy and psychology.
A timeless game
Backgammon continues to thrive worldwide, both casually and competitively. It is played in homes, cafés, and clubs, but it also benefits from a strong organized community. Many countries have established national backgammon federations dedicated to promoting the game, supporting players, and developing competitive talent. At the international level, the World Backgammon Federation (WBGF) serves as the global governing body. It unites national federations across continents, organizes official tournaments, and ensures consistent rules and standards. The federation continues to grow, with new countries joining its ranks each year, reflecting the expanding global reach of the game. Thanks to these efforts, backgammon maintains a vibrant international presence, with world championships and online events that bring together top players from around the world, securing its reputation as a truly timeless game.
