Backgammon Equipment
Backgammon equipment consists of a backgammon set and a backgammon table. The basic backgammon set consists of the board, checkers (or pieces), dice, the doubling cube and cups. Usually these items come in a special backgammon case, the interior surface of which is used as the board. For the backgammon aficionado a high quality and creatively designed set is essential. Today the backgammon equipment is made from a variety of materials and comes in different colours. Every year new designs are introduced in the market to attract the ever-growing band of backgammon players.
The more popular backgammon sets are priced around £200. The case is made from a high quality hardwood frame, which is covered by an Italian book cloth Cialux covering and is fitted with solid brass hardware. The case comes in a variety of matte colours. The playing surface on the inside of the case is lined with beige leatherette that is inlaid with red and blue points. The checkers are also in red and blue and are made from high quality semi-transparent plastic having a beautiful mother-of-pearl finish. The weight of the entire set is four kilograms.
However for the budget player there are lower priced sets. The bottom range is about £100. There are players who prefer the highest range exclusive sets. These are the ones with exclusive leather cases and correspondingly higher quality checkers and other accessories.
The backgammon table is a product by itself. Backgammon, like other board games, requires a flat surface for playing on. For some any table will do but not for the passionate backgammon player. For him the backgammon table is an integral part of his living room and therefore must have the appropriate class. The specially designed backgammon table is not simply a flat surface to place the board on. The flat table surface is the board. These tables have the backgammon board is engraved on the surface in beautiful multi-toned designs. At the side of the board are lined cut out grooves for storing the checkers, dice, doubling cube and cups, the colours and designs of which match the colours and designs of the playing surface. Some tables do not have the board engraved on it. The board is a removable section placed in a slot in the table. The advantage of this is that the reverse side of the board contains the pattern for another board game, usually chess. Such tables may have drawers for storing the playing pieces. Backgammon tables come in a variety of sizes, styles and colours. They are mostly wooden but some are made from other materials. With not too much of a search one can find a table that matches with the décor of the room. Backgammon table manufacturers also cater to those who do not want the table to be a permanent fixture in their rooms. There are folding backgammon tables that can be easily removed and kept in a more convenient location. Like the backgammon set, the backgammon table comes in a wide price range in order to meet the needs of the budget player are well as the elite one.
Ashley Young
