Backgammon has roots which stretch far back into history, with variations of backgammon being played by the ancient Egyptians and Romans. It was widely associated with royalty and leaders but evidence has shown it was also enjoyed by all classes of people. The modern version of the game of backgammon saw a resurgence of popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, when the board game became ‘the’ game to play. For more information on the background of backgammon, please visit our Backgammon History page.
Backgammon is a game of skill played by two people. Each player has fifteen checkers or counters, also known as men. The checkers are moved depending on the throws of a pair of dice. The aim of backgammon is to be the first player to remove or “bear off” all of your own checkers, by first hitting or blocking your opponent’s checkers, then by moving all of your men onto the home side of your board and bearing the checkers off.
Backgammon is extremely popular with all classes and ages world wide, including Britain and America and is known by many different names. Backgammon is often played for the pure challenge of the game as well as for some high stakes.
The internet has brought the excitement and convenience of online gaming and gambling and has once again lifted backgammon to a new level of popularity. Pitting your skills against other people anywhere in the world, at any hour, has proved to be very popular. Software can be downloaded for free on many sites and registering only takes a few minutes.
Whether you are an experienced backgammon player or a novice, you can have lots of fun with backgammon, learning and developing your skills. Beginners can take advantage free online demos or just watching other players at first until they feel ready to play. You have a choice between playing in single backgammon games or in several games. Many people like to play in online backgammon tournaments or leagues. Placing a bet on backgammon in an online casino has never been quicker or easier and can be very exciting.
If you have never played backgammon before, our How to Play Backgammon page will give you the basic information about the rules of the game. Our Backgammon Glossary will also help you to understand some of the terms you may come across when learning to play backgammon.
While there is an element of chance, backgammon is also a game of skill, and there are some strategies that you can use to increase your chances of winning. If you want to know more, take a look at our Backgammon Strategy page.
