BACKGAMMON

When I was a kid my Dad taught me how to play backgammon and to this day it is one of my best-loved pastimes.

As a graphic designer, I love the geometric design of backgammon- circles placed on these harlequin points of alternating color.

Backgammon is considered the oldest board game in history, dating 5,000 years back to ancient Mesopotamia. It is a game of strategy and chance. Easy to learn but hard to master. There are some go-to rules and obvious moves but the capriciousness of the dice make every game unique.

I loved having this activity to share time with my Dad. After I left home and started my life as an adult I didn’t play as much. When I met Conall, who would later became my husband - we loved playing parlor games too. We played blackjack, darts, and a lot of pool. We even were part of a league playing around Manhattan. Once kids came into the picture and we made the move to the suburbs, needless to say, our lifestyle changed. On a visit to my parents, I had come across the backgammon set. It is encased in brown leather, cork board with chocolate brown & vanilla cream colored points & chips. My Dad said he got it in 1980. He let me take it home and I taught Conall to play. And it has become our new game. Something you can play at home anytime and easily travel with.

My backgammon set handed down from my Dad circa 1980

There are some truly gorgeous backgammon sets out there to be found and if I were a rich girl - I would buy one of each! Here are my top choices. The materials used in making them range from fine woods, fabrics, leather, lacquer, acrylic, and even neon!