BACKGAMMON
This is a mixed game, being a combination of chance and
calculation. Its derivation is a vexed question, both as to whence it
came and how it acquired its present designation. "La Maison des
Jeux Academiques" abandons its origin as a desperate problem,
and Dr. Henry claims its name as a Welsh compound, from
"bach," little, and "cammon," battle. On the other hand, Bp.
Kennett and Strutt derive it from the Anglo-Saxon, viz., from
"bac," back, and "garnone," a game, that is to say, a game where
players are exposed to be sent back. Perhaps this may satisfy the
antiquarian and be accepted as a sufficient offering to the
etymologist. It would have been a mere recreation in chronology,
to have disputed all the probabilities for assigning Backgammon to
the antediluvian age. One portion of its machinery consists of
dice--now dice defy chronology. Their types are found in Etruscan
tombs and in the hieroglyphics of Egypt; and the historian of
Chaeronea asserts, that Mercury had a throw of the dice once upon
a time with the Goddess Luna.
From Chaucer we gather that the early name of Backgammon, or
at all events its synonym, was "Tables"; at which period it was
played with three dice, and all the "men" commenced their action
from the adversary's table. Backgammon has always been a
particularly respectable instrument of amusement, like the Organ
in "She Stoops to Conquer." Even Whist has not escaped
defilement, but Backgammon "was never a vulgar game, never
beloved of lackeys." Shakespeare has used it as a medium for his
philosophy, and Bacon has served bail for its good behavior.
Backgammon is played by two persons, with two boxes and two
dice, upon a quadrangular table or board, on which are figured 24
points or fleche, of two colors, placed alternately. The board is
divided into four compartments, two inner and two outer ones,
each containing six of the 24 points (alternate colors). The players
are each furnished with fifteen men or counters, black and white
(usually draughts). These are arranged upon the board, in the
following manner. To play into the left hand table, two of your
men are placed upon the ace point of your opponent's inner table,
five upon the sixth point in his Outer table (numbered 12 in our
diagram), three upon the five point in your own outer table
(numbered 8), and five upon the sixth point, in your own inner
table. The adversary's men are to be placed in corresponding
order, in a position directly opposite. All this is shown in the
diagram annexed, and to facilitate reference the points or fleches
are numbered from 1 to 12 of each color.
