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Backgammon: An Ancient Game in Timeless Wooden & Leather Sets
Backgammon is a two-player board game where each side races fifteen checkers around twenty-four triangular points, moved by the roll of two dice. The player who bears all their checkers off the board first is crowned the winner. It combines luck and strategy in roughly equal measure, dice decide what moves are available, but blocking, timing, and the doubling cube decide who actually wins.
The game is far older than most people expect. Archaeologists trace it back roughly 5,000 years to Mesopotamia, where a similar race-and-capture game was played on boards not too different from the handmade backgammon sets sold today. It spread through Persia, the Roman Empire, and eventually Europe, picking up new names and small rule changes along the way, but the core idea never really changed. Few games have survived that long practically unaltered.
And here, we will explore more about the game and key to buying the best backgammon set for you.
How the Game Is Played?
Each player starts with fifteen checkers arranged in a fixed setup and moves them in opposite directions around the backgammon board based on their dice roll. Landing two or more checkers on a point blocks the opponent from stopping there, and a single exposed checker can be hit and sent back, costing valuable time. Once all fifteen of a player's checkers reach their home board, they can begin bearing off, removing checkers from the board entirely. And, the first to bear off all fifteen wins the game. The doubling cube adds a layer of risk management on top of that, letting either player raise the stakes mid-game if they like their position.
Chess players tend to pick it up quickly. The forward planning is similar, but backgammon adds a layer of probability neither player fully controls, which makes it a faster, more social game to have alongside a chess board.
Formats in Our Collection
| Format | Best For | What to Expect |
| Wooden Travel Backgammon Sets (6" to 10") | Quick games on the move, gifting | Folding wooden board with a magnetic or standard checker set, compact enough for a bag |
| 2 in 1 Chess & Backgammon Combos | Multi-purpose board to play either of the two games | Magnetic pieces, reversible board, and a set of chess pieces and checkers. Our best-selling format in this collection |
| Leatherette Briefcase Backgammon Sets (15" to 18") | Regular home or club play & Gifting | Folds shut like a briefcase, holds checkers and dice inside, larger playing surface than travel sets |
| Regal Series Luxury Sets | Gifting or display | Golden Rosewood and Bud Rosewood construction, built more like a prized possession than a travel case |
How to Choose the Right Backgammon Set?
Finding the best backgammon game set depends on where and how you plan to use it. Factors include the size, material, functionality, and visual appeal.
- If the board is going to spend more time in a bag than on a table, a travel set holds up fine and takes the odd knock without damage.
- For a permanent setup at home or club, the leatherette briefcase sets are sturdier over repeated games and give you more room to play.
- If it's a gift or meant to sit out on display next to a chess set, the Regal Series leans decorative, built in the same hardwoods as our chess boards.
- Browse the collection to find the format that fits how and where you'll actually be playing.
Frequently Asked Questions