We are living today in a world filled with so many things that comes in through a virtual package. The things we do are now generally associated with computers and we almost claim that it is already hard to continue without such technologies. Even gaming for kids is even done through the use of computers nowadays. But despite all of these progresses, one of the ancient kinds of games is still living with us today–the backgammon checkers.
The Backgammon Checkers History
Studies and excavations at Shahr-e Sokhteh in Iran have revealed that a certain board game than is similar to backgammon have existed around 3000 BC. There was a claim that the said game originated in India since it uses dice but the concrete rules were said to start in Persia.
Other scientists believe that the said game originated in Mesopotamia while other relics and ancient excavations show also that the said board game has also reached the areas of Rome, Persia, Far East and Greece. Its name “backgammon” was suspected to originate from a Middle English language where “bac” meant “back” and “gammen” meant “game” that shows one of the rules of the game wherein counters reenter the table.
The Rules
Backgammon checkers are played by two but there are instances that you could play in teams where strategies and tactics can be discussed for very instance, but the dice tossing should only involve one person. The general rule on who will win the game is that whoever reaches the other side of the board (the opponent’s base) with all of his chips will win.
There are instances where winning can be attained not just by chance but also by your tactics on how you would make it through the game while creating a defense mechanism to oppose the movements of the other player. Before the game, both of the players would toss a die so whoever gets the highest value will get the first turn.
During the game, two dices would be used. After rolling the dice, two values will be given to the player. The two values could be consumed by the player by moving his chips from right to left (for red chips) or left to right (for black chips), towards the board of the opponent. The value shown on the dice would be the number of steps that the player could take. The movement will be form one triangle to another, imagining such pointed triangles to be somewhat connected to each other.
Backgammon Checkers Special Rules
Whenever one gets two same values on his/her dice that is equivalent to four movements of one of the dice’s value. For example, when you get a 5-5 dice, you can move your chips five steps forward, four times! You are not limited to move only one chip during any instance in the backgammon because you are entitled to move other chips as long as you’ll follow the values indicated in each die.
Once you have also reached a triangle where there’s only one chip of the opponent, that chip would be placed on their “bar”, an area or boundary between the inner board and the outer board. This chance will then prevent your opponent to easily pass through that region which can be considered as a part of strategy during the game.
The whole backgammon checkers has evolved its rules ever since it was started to be played. Many old directions are now enhanced for a better and more exciting board game. There are even new added rules such as the doubling which adds up to that competitive board gaming. So what are you waiting for? Try this board game now and prepare to toss your backgammon chips!
