Backgammon is among the oldest board games ever played, dating back to ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Rome. A game meant to be played by two players, Backgammon is a test of wit and strategy, with the outcome sometimes dictated by sheer luck. Setting up a backgammon board involves strategy. Here are a few things you should know in setting up a backgammon board.
•Play pieces. Make a list of the things you will need to set up your backgammon board. Your list should include the following: two pairs of dice, dice shaker or dice cups, a doubling cube, two sets of 15 checkers and a board. These are the essential play pieces you must have for the game.
•Strategic location. Board games are commonly played indoors but you can also choose a location in the outdoors for a great view and ambiance. While the location of your game might not be as important as your game strategy, make sure that you are comfortable while playing backgammon.
•Board game terminology and definitions. Note that numbers 1-7 are the inner board, or also known as the home board, and points 7-12 are the outer board. Every number on the board has a corresponding triangle that totals to 12 and instead of calling it by number, the terminology used is ‘points.’ The doubling cube is almost similar to a die but instead of the dots it has the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64. This is used for setting the stakes in the game.
•Board game layout. Open your backgammon board like a book and let it lay flat with the printed area facing up. On the lower portion of the board you will see numbers labeled on it. The starting positions of the checkers should be set in this order: place 2 checkers in point 1, 5 checkers in point 6, 3 checkers in point 8 and 5 checkers in point 12. Your opponent’s checkers are to be placed in the same exact order opposite you.
•Game plan. With the vast varieties of possible dice rolls, combination and switching of your checkers will help you go with the shifting conditions of the game. Some basic strategies you can use are moving quickly around the board, sustaining control of the point, avoiding a hit, refraining from being trapped, and creating a wall of checkers to block your opponent.
The game’s object is basically a race. You will need to bring all of your checkers toward your home board. Then, you will need to take these out of the board. The first one who does so is the winner.
Backgammon is considered a serious game around the world. It’s often considered a tough strategy game comparable to chess. But with the recent addition of the doubling cube, backgammon is now considered to be a favorite game among gamblers.
Like any other board game, Backgammon has its variants coming from many different parts of the world. You may find similarities in games such as Hypergammon, Nackgammon, Russian Blackgammon, Tric-Trac (French variant), Gul Bara and Tapa (Southeastern Europe and Turkey).
