Backgammon Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Backgammon dates back more than 5,000 years ago and is one of the oldest games in history. Backgammon is believed to have originated from Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The ancient Egyptians had a similar game called Senat that was played by royalty and nobility.
From then on, backgammon arrived in other lands although the basic rules of the game have changed little. The ancient Greeks called the game "bac gamen" which soon gave rise to the modern name "backgammon."
Over the years, backgammon slowly gained acceptance and popularity among different countries and cultures. Backgammon arrived in England in the 17th century and since then the game spread to the rest of the Western world.
Do you know that backgammon was once outlawed? Some churches once banned backgammon believing that it was created by the Devil. But people didn't stop playing backgammon despite the ban.
Before the turn of the 20th century, the famous game enthusiast Edmund Hoyle called backgammon the "Tables" game and wrote a book about the game. This book helped ordinary people get a better understanding of the rules and concepts of the game.
Interestingly enough, one of the world's oldest games also became one of the first games to embrace computer technology. After the invention of the computer, several software manufacturers created backgammon-playing programs that can play against humans. However, backgammon programs never achieved the high level of expertise that characterize chess-playing software.
Until now, computer scientists have been studying and analyzing backgammon concepts to develop, test and research artificial intelligence (AI) theories and machine algorithms.
When the Internet boom reached new heights, backgammon was not to be left behind. Many online casinos and online gaming sites began offering both free and paid backgammon games for everyone with Internet access. These online backgammon games allow anyone to pit their skills and strategies against opponents from all over the world.
You don't even have to download a software program from the Internet to start playing online backgammon. If you are using the Microsoft Windows or XP operating systems, you can find Internet Backgammon already installed by default. This program is normally located in the Start > Programs > Games menu.
Backgammon has come a long way from its noble roots to become a vastly popular and well-loved game played worldwide. If you haven't played backgammon yet, you are missing out on the fun, excitement and challenge that this game offers. Buy a backgammon set now and play with your friends, or go to online backgammon sites and match wits with your fellow backgammon players all over the world. |
