BGonline.org Forums

Backgammon as we know it – Key Dates in its Development

Posted By: Rick Janowski
Date: Wednesday, 6 June 2012, at 11:19 p.m.

In Response To: History of Backgammon - the game as we know it (DaveT)

Although forms of backgammon (or tables) have been present since the start of the earliest civilisations, the game which we know today (with sets of checkers on the 6, 8, 13 and 24 points) appears to be about 900 years old. The approximate key dates in modern backgammon’s development are summarised below (based on the information provided on the website http://bckg.pagesperso-orange.fr/english/accueil.htm):

Circa 1100 – The first backgammon variant with a board set up identical to modern backgammon is developed in India (Golaka-Krida). Unlike modern backgammon, doublets did not count twice, and gammons and backgammons carried no bonus points. Backgammon variants very similar to Golaka-Krida had spread into China, many Middle Eastern countries, and Spain by circa 1250.

Circa 1500 – The first variation of backgammon where doublets count twice arises in France (Toutes Tables).

Circa 1650 – The first variations of backgammon where gammons count as double games arise in England and France (Backgammon and Toutes Tables respectively).

Circa 1850 – The triple game bonus for backgammons starts to become common practice.

Circa 1920 – Doubling and the doubling cube is introduced in what became the modern game.

Before circa 1900, it was common practice to give the winner of the opening roll the option of re-rolling, so it was possible to open with doublets. Alternative where backgammon was played in short matches (eg, first to three, or first to five) it was often common practice to award the opening roll to the winner of the previous game.

Messages In This Thread

• History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
  DaveT -- Tuesday, 5 June 2012, at 2:35 p.m.
  • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
    Tom Keith -- Tuesday, 5 June 2012, at 2:55 p.m.
    • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
      David Levy -- Tuesday, 5 June 2012, at 3:25 p.m.
      • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
        Chuck Bower -- Tuesday, 5 June 2012, at 4:36 p.m.
        • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
          Jake Jacobs -- Tuesday, 5 June 2012, at 5:40 p.m.
          • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
            Strato -- Tuesday, 5 June 2012, at 7:07 p.m.
        • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
          Bob koca -- Tuesday, 5 June 2012, at 6:19 p.m.
  • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
    Rick Janowski -- Tuesday, 5 June 2012, at 3:38 p.m.
    • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
      rambiz -- Tuesday, 5 June 2012, at 10:07 p.m.
  • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
    Chris Bray -- Wednesday, 6 June 2012, at 10:50 a.m.
    • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
      Strato -- Wednesday, 6 June 2012, at 12:53 p.m.
      • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
        Chris Bray -- Wednesday, 6 June 2012, at 4:07 p.m.
        • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
          Jake Jacobs -- Thursday, 7 June 2012, at 3:36 p.m.
          • History of Backgammon - the game as we know it
            Chris Bray -- Friday, 8 June 2012, at 9:13 a.m.
  • Backgammon as we know it – Key Dates in its Development
    Rick Janowski -- Wednesday, 6 June 2012, at 11:19 p.m.