| For example, at the most simple level the | | | | Up until the end of the nineteenth century |
| backgammon board may have been first | | | | backgammon sets were produced for personal |
| scratched in the earth or on a flat piece of | | | | usage by whoever wanted to play backgammon, |
| wood. Stones would have been used for | | | | or a set may have been ordered from a local |
| checkers and the dice may have been carved | | | | craftsman. With the introduction of modern |
| out of bone. Although the materials used to | | | | mass production, backgammon sets made their |
| construct the ancient backgammon set are no | | | | appearance on the shop shelves. Today these |
| longer in use, the division of the backgammon | | | | cheap sets are within the pocket money range |
| board into twenty-four triangular-shaped | | | | of most children in the western world. |
| sections (or points as they are officially | | | | |
| called in the backgammon game) and the | | | | The growth of online backgammon has also |
| allocation of fifteen checkers to each player | | | | recently provided a new alternative to the |
| appear to have been features of the | | | | traditional backgammon set. Stimulated by the |
| backgammon set from the beginning. Similarly, | | | | popularity of backgammon gambling, the |
| the backgammon rules that are followed today | | | | amazing development of backgammon software |
| can claim the same ancient antecedence. | | | | has made available highly realistic looking |
| | | | Internet backgammon sets that look so real |
| As people soon discovered that how to play | | | | you almost feel as if you can reach out into |
| backgammon was easy to learn and the game was | | | | the screen and throw the dice or move a |
| fun to play the backgammon set became a | | | | checker. However, the growing following of |
| common sight in homes or meeting places where | | | | the online game does not seem to have dented |
| gaming took place. In the course of time, | | | | the market for the traditional backgammon |
| wood became the dominant material in the | | | | boards, checkers and dice but rather it has |
| construction of backgammon boards and | | | | provided new ways of buying these. There is |
| checkers, though porcelain and a variety of | | | | no longer any need to go to the nearest toy |
| other materials were also employed. At the | | | | store. A search on the Internet produces many |
| upper end of the market, the wealthiest | | | | attractive backgammon sets for sale online at |
| members of society that liked to play | | | | prices to suit all pockets. |
| backgammon, had backgammon sets made of | | | | |
| materials that reflected their social | | | | In short, if you've ever thought about |
| standing. Highly decorative boards could be | | | | playing backgammon for fun or competitively |
| produced and precious metals used to make the | | | | playing on the internet can be a great way to |
| checkers and dice. . | | | | start and practice and even to get involved |
| | | | in competitive play. |