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Backgammon

For Backgammon, there is a bewildering array of sets in shops everywhere so it can be tricky for the discerning buyer to know which to choose. We're here to help:- the Italian company, Dal Negro, is generally regarded as the leading Backgammon maker in the world. We also offer some quality Backgammon sets from Jaques, the oldest games company.

Competition / Club Backgammon Sets

Dal Negro Olympic
Dal Negro Olympic Backgammon Set

21" Competition Backgammon. Best production club set in existence.

Dal Negro Black Leather
Dal Negro Black Leather Backgammon set

Top players prefer leather. Dal Negro's premier Backgammon Set.

Dal Negro Eco-Leather
Dal Negro Eco-Leather backgammon set

An extremely high quality Backgammon case in eco-leather.

Connoisseur 18" Backgammon Sets

Dal Negro Briar Wood

Dal Negro Briar Wood Backgammon set

Dal Negro Deluxe Walnut
(Iridescent lid)
Deluxe Walnut Iridescent
Dal Negro Ebony

Dal Negro Ebony Backgammon  set

Quality Backgammon Sets

Dal Negro 16" Walnut Topina Backgammon
Dal Negro Top Wood Backgammon
Dal Negro 16" Walnut Backgammon
Dal Negro Walnut backgammon set
Jaques 15" Oak Backgammon
Jaques Oak Backgammon
Jaques 15" Mahogany Backgammon
Jaques Mahogany Backgammon

 

 

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The Origin of Backgammon

Backgammon-type games have been played for thousands of years in all parts of the world and certainly during the Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras.  The game may derive from the ancient Egyptian game of Senat, which was played on a set of 3 x 12 points with 3 x 6 sided dice.  Popular in a variety of forms throughout history, backgammon was probably originally brought to England by men returning from the Crusades.

Like many games played for money, it was unpopular with the authorities in England for centuries and it wasn't until the reign of Elizabeth I that laws prohibiting the "playing of Tables in licensed establishments" were abolished.  In the early seventeenth century, backgammon underwent a revival and swept across Europe.   Thenceforth, backgammon remained the popular game that we know today.

There are different opinions regarding the derivation. Some people believe it derives from 'Baec', meaning back and 'Gamen', which means game. Others believe that it might have been derived from 'Back', which means little and 'Gammon', meaning battle.

You can learn more about the history of backgammon from The Online Guide to Traditional Games.

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