An introduction to the Backgammon Board

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The game of Backgammon is thought to be one of the oldest games in the world, and according to some, probably the best. There is a large variety of styles when it comes to the Backgammon board; from intricate wooden designs to the use-anywhere plastic magnetic kind. In the twenty first century it is now possible to generate backgammon boards on the internet and play from home.
Generally backgammon boards are rectangular in shape and have a partition in the centre called the bar that divides the board into two, the inner (or home board) and the outer tables. This partition is usually where the two sides come together and are held by a hinge allowing for the whole board to fold into two with space in the middle for the storage of the game pieces.
Long triangles represent 24 points in total, where the game pieces are placed, 12 on each side of the board. These triangles are then grouped into 4 quadrants, 6 in each. The inner board has a total of six points numbered (1-6 for each player); similarly the outer board has the same number of points numbered 7-12. Usually the points are arranged in alternating colors of dark and light. The backgammon board has been used as a social center piece since before electricity, and it is believed that the light board (inner board) should be played near a light source, a window for example, leaving the dark board positioned in the shade.