What is the history of backgammon in Iran?

Backgammon is believed to have originated at around 3,000 B.C. in Mesopotamia in the Persian Empire which is the present day Iran, Iraq, and Syria. It is the oldest known recorded game in history, even older than Chess.

Is backgammon a Persian game?

Backgammon is one of the oldest board games known to man. It dates back to approximately 5000 years ago in Persia. This is a two player game where the playing pieces are moved according to the role of dice.

What is backgammon called in Iran?

Takhteh (also spelled "Takhte") is the Persian name for backgammon. The rules are similar but not exactly the same as Western backgammon.

Why is backgammon forbidden in Islam?

Thus, it is a game of chance, and it is forbidden to play. It is reported on the authority of Abu Musa Al-Ashari that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever plays backgammon disobeys God and His Messenger.” (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Ibn Majah and others).

What country did backgammon originate?

Believed to date back 5,000 years, archaeological discoveries in ancient Mesopotamia – modern-day Iraq – in the 1920s give us a tantalising glimpse of the game's potential origins: six artifacts that look remarkably like today's backgammon boards, one with dice and different coloured playing pieces still intact.

History of Backgammon

Is backgammon popular in Iran?

Traditional Persian games such as chess and backgammon are extremely popular in modern day Iran while sports like wrestling and skiing are also a favorite pastime for many Iranians.

What ethnicity is backgammon?

Backgammon is a two-player board game played with counters and dice on tables boards. It is the most widespread Western member of the large family of tables games, whose ancestors date back nearly 5,000 years to the regions of Mesopotamia and Persia.

Is backgammon an Arab?

It was first borrowed by the Egyptians, who played a potential variety of the game called senet. The Persians also borrowed this game and play a game similar to Backgammon today called nard. It was also borrowed by the Romans, who called the game tabula and established most of the modern rules.

What do Israelis call backgammon?

That's right, Backgammon, or in Israel, commonly known as Sheshbesh.

What is backgammon called in Egypt?

Backgammon, known in Egypt as tawla, is one of the most popular games in the country. The word tawla itself literally translates to 'table' in Arabic and originates from the Latin tabula – an irony, considering that the game itself is believed to be Persian in origin.

Was backgammon invented in Iran?

Backgammon is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia in the Persian empire or present day Iran, Iraq, and Syria. It is the oldest known recorded board game.

What country is best at backgammon?

Denmark. If you really want to challenge yourself at Backgammon, play with a Danish player. Players from Denmark and other Nordic countries are considered amongst the world's best and continue to dominate the world stage in major tournaments.

Why did the Catholic Church ban backgammon?

The game continued to be played throughout the latter stages of the last millennium but it had constant battles with authorities and the church who wanted to ban it because of the gambling element. Its popularity continued through Victorian times and it was very popular at country house weekend parties.

Which game originated in Iran?

Iran has a very rich sporting history. It is the birthplace of polo which was recorded to have been played there in as early as the 6th century BC. However, freestyle wrestling is regarded as their traditional sport and is officially their national sport.

What do Americans call backgammon?

Backgammon Variants

American Acey-Deucey. The American version of Acey-Deucey has been a favorite game of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Merchant Marine since the First World War.

What is Russian backgammon?

: a variation of backgammon in which all the pieces are entered on the same table as determined by throws of the dice and proceed in the same direction around the board.

What is Lebanese backgammon called?

Backgammon, known as "tawleh" in Lebanese, is one of the oldest known board games. Its history can be traced back nearly 5,000 years to archaeological discoveries in Mesopotamia.

Do Russians play backgammon?

Russian Backgammon is a true race, with both players moving their checkers in the same direction and bearing off from the same table. Setup: All checkers start off the board.

What culture is backgammon?

Backgammon is one of the oldest games in existence, alongside Go and Chess. It is probably about 5,000 years old and may well have originated in what today is Iraq—previously Mesopotamia. Recent evidence supporting this was found when these very early dice (made of human bones) were discovered in the area.

Did the Catholic Church ban backgammon?

The Catholic Church Banned Backgammon

The Catholic church didn't approve of a lot of things back in the days. One such thing was Backgammon, which they banned during the sixteenth century. They ordered the boards to be burned, just like numerous books that they deemed unholy.

Is backgammon good for the brain?

Backgammon can boost memory and cognition abilities in people of all ages. Through playing board games, the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus are given a workout. These areas are responsible for memory formation and complex thought processes.

Is backgammon a skill or luck?

Backgammon is a game of skill, and the more skill you have, the more likely you are to win. That is proven time and time again in tournaments and match results. But it is proven only in the long run. In the short run, just about anyone can beat anyone given enough luck, and when you have dice, you have luck.

What do Turks call backgammon?

Tavla is the Turkish name for backgammon. The rules are very similar but there are some differences. If you want to learn more about Tavli, check out this page. In Iran, the same game is played under the name Takhteh.

Do Turkish people play backgammon?

A Modern Turkish Backgammon

Known as the most played board game of all time, backgammon is popular among tradesmen in our country Turkey.

What is the most played game in Iran?

Football (soccer) has become the most popular game in Iran—the country's team won the Asian championships in 1968, 1974, and 1976 and made its World Cup debut in 1978—but the 1979 revolution was a major setback for Iranian sports.