Backgammon board games and their fascinating history

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Backgammon board games are familiar to millions of people across the world. In the same way that a pack of playing cards is instantly recognizable, the twenty-four points (or narrow triangular divisions) with the bar running down the center of a flat board, the fifteen round checkers for each player, the dice and the dice cup, are well known as the components of backgammon board games.

Archaeological and historical studies have shown that the backgammon board games available today are not radically different from those that appeared in the earliest period of the game’s history in Iraq and Iran thousands of years ago. Subsequent development has taken the form of improved materials, for example, wood and later plastic in the place of the original stone and bone.

Another important development is that mass production has brought the backgammon board games into stores around the world and at prices acceptable to every pocket. From an exclusively designed set made with precious metals, to the most basic plastic pocket-sized set, a wide range of backgammon games are available.

In many respects the most dramatic change of all in the look and feel of backgammon board games has occurred in the last few years with the development of online backgammon. Software developers have placed a great amount of effort in creating a virtual backgammon set with a high 3-D graphic quality. The addition of sounds to the game and the development of a computerized backgammon opponent have revolutionized the appearance of the game. Internet backgammon has removed the need to go out and buy a backgammon set for those with an Internet connection.