[Illustration: FIG. 1.]
Backgammon is played by two persons, on a special "board" with thirty
"men," fifteen white and fifteen black (or red), similar to those used for
the game of Draughts. The board (see Fig. 1) is square, usually of wood,
lined with leather, and is divided into two equal compartments, each with a
raised wall or border. It is usually made in two portions, {272} hinged so
as to fold together, and bearing on their outward surfaces the necessary
squares for draughts or chess, so that the one board may answer both
purposes.
The board is so placed in use that the two compartments, known as "tables,"
shall lie longitudinally between the players. One of these is known as the
"outer," the other as the "inner" or "home" table. Which of the two is for
the time being the inner and which the outer table is governed by the
arrangement of the men at starting. With the men placed as in Fig. 1, the
right hand is the inner or home table, and the left hand consequently the
outer table. The portions of the two latter nearest to each player are
known as _his_ inner and outer tables respectively.
Each table is marked with twelve "points," six at either end. They are
alternately of black and white, black and red, or other distinctive
colours. The two points in the inner table farthest from the dividing
partition or "bar" are known as the "ace" points, and those next in order
as the two or "deuce" points, followed in succession by the three or
"trois" points, the four or "quatre" points, the five or "cinque" points,
and finally the "six"[65] points, next the bar. The points in the outer
tables are designated in like manner, but starting in this case from the
dividing partition. The ace point in the outer table is more commonly known
as the "bar" point.
A pair of dice (or sometimes a pair for each player) and a couple of
dice-boxes complete the apparatus of the game.
The men are arranged at starting as shown in {273} Fig. 1--viz., two of
White's men are placed on the ace point in Black's inner table, five are
placed on the six point in Black's outer table, three on the deuce point in
White's outer table, and five on the six point in White's inner table.
Black's men are placed in like manner on the points immediately facing
these.