Many have heard of backgammon, there are many supporters of this game. But not everyone knows the history of such an exciting pastime. We offer a small excursion into history for those who want to learn a little more about their favorite game.
The fact that the game was in demand among ancient peoples is confirmed by finds that have a very long history. And there are many legends, tales and myths about how backgammon appeared.
It is believed that backgammon is an oriental game, and from the very beginning it attracted the interest of both ordinary people and nobles, who never refused to try a new gambling entertainment.
The legend of the Persian gift
One of the most famous legends is that the Hindus decided to test how intellectually capable the Persians were. So they sent them a gift in the form of chess. They thought that the Persians were incapable of solving the mystery of how to play this game. This was done in order to prevent a war that was brewing between the two states.
However, the royal adviser managed to easily cope with such a task. Instead, he invented his own game, which came to be called backgammon. The Hindus tried to solve the secret of this game for twelve years, but never succeeded.
The game itself became incredibly popular in the homeland, which began to be used to predict the future. The playing field was considered the starry sky, and the chips acted as planets. The boards were divided into four zones, each zone representing a season. Twelve marks are months, and twenty-four cells mean a day.
Such products were made of wood or stone. Dice for the game were most often made of clay.
European version about backgammon
After gaining incredible popularity in the east, backgammon became more popular in Europe. The spread of this game is associated with the crusades that took place in the second half of the twelfth century. And the following facts indicate this:
- During the campaigns, the knights were exhausted from boredom, so they were happy to amuse themselves in this way;
- Great nobles did not just play, but also lost a lot of money in the process. In the end, the authorities had to point out certain restrictions on gambling;
- They did not dare to ban backgammon completely, but it was impossible to lose more than a hundred pounds in a day. If a violator was caught, then they were completely stripped, tied to a shameful pole, exposed for inspection;
- If backgammon was played by soldiers, they played simply to drink. It helped not to get behind bars.
That is, backgammon has occupied an important place among gambling entertainment for many centuries. Today, such a game allows you to have an interesting time or even win money if you play in an online casino.
Interesting facts and superstitions related to backgammon
The game of backgammon is ready to offer a variety of interesting facts. In order for the player to be accompanied by luck, it is not necessary to cross the arms and legs. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the following interesting facts and signs:
- When an important game is expected, it is not recommended to wear clean and new clothes;
- For the same reason, it is better not to look at the dice when rolling. You can't speak badly about the zarah, because luck will turn away;
- Each player must have his own talisman, which he must always keep with him. It can be anything, any little thing, the main thing is that it has the status of an official mascot;
- During the drawing of the party, it is not desirable to have pets in the room;
- In certain circles, it is believed that receiving backgammon as a gift is a good sign. It is believed that the recipient wants to find his own way as soon as possible, which will lead to success.
In today's world, backgammon is so popular that it is present even in the best casinos in Las Vegas.
Backgammon game rules
It is interesting to learn that the approved rules appeared relatively recently. The entertainment itself is several thousand years old, but the rules came into force around the eighteenth century. It was then that a unified system and general rules were established. There are several variations of this game, but the basic rules remain unchanged:
- Only two players can play, they take turns;
- Each player has 15 chips of the same color;
- Chips can move strictly in a circle. It can be clockwise or counterclockwise. Depending on the type of backgammon;
- The initial location of the chips also depends on the variety of the selected game;
- A player must roll two dice before making each move. If at least one bone flew out of the board or became uneven, then the move is not counted;
- The player who has more points on the dice goes first. When the players have the same number of points, then the throw is repeated;
- If both dice show the same number of points, then they are doubled.
The goal of the game is to make a full circle, go to your "home" with checkers, throw them out behind the board, doing it faster than your opponent. A draw is impossible in backgammon.
These rules are the main ones for those who start playing backgammon. As players gain experience, the rules can change and become more complex.
Speaking of the term "backgammon", according to one version, the game was named after a liquid Indian plant that is used to prepare aromatic oils and incense.
Backgammon does not lose its popularity even today. There are always those who are ready to test their strength and skills and come to a winning result. Whether to play just like that or for money is a personal matter for everyone. In any case, it will be interesting to spend time with such entertainment.
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