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 world's leading Backgammon maker. We also offer some quality Backgammon sets from Jaques, the world's oldest games company.
Full-size Dal Negro Backgammon Sets
| Dal Negro Olympic Backgammon 
£228.90 Best club/competition set around. Does not fold. 21 inch. | Dal Negro Black Leather Backgammon 
£255.90 Dal Negro's premier Backgammon Set in a black leather case | Dal Negro Burgundy Case Backgammon 
£209.90 An extremely high quality Backgammon set in a burgundy case | Dal Negro Brown Case Backgammon 
£205.90 An extremely high quality Backgammon set in a brown case |
Dal Negro Backgammon Sets
| Dal Negro 18" Briar Wood Backgammon 
£222.90 | Dal Negro Iridescent Walnut Backgammon 
£169.90 | Dal Negro 18" Ebony Backgammon 
£249.90 | Dal Negro 16" Walnut Topina Backgammon 
£144.90 |
| Dal Negro 16" Walnut Backgammon 
£136.90 | Dal Negro Brown Fabric Backgammon 
£122.90 | Dal Negro Green Fabric Backgammon 
Out of stock. |
Other Quality Backgammon Sets
| 21" Backgammon with Flock Playing Surface 
£69.90 | Jaques 15" Oak Backgammon 
£39.00 | Jaques 15" Mahogany Backgammon 
Due 28/11/2009 | Jaques 11" Oak Backgammon 
Out of stock. |
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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.