For a backgammon gift, pick the case first: wood for a set that stays on a table, leather or leatherette for one that travels to games, and a personalized lid for a keepsake. Then check that the set holds 15 checkers per player, dice cups and a doubling cube, and that the board suits where it will be played.
Backgammon sets by case and use
Every backgammon set plays the same game, so the choice comes down to where the set will live and how often it moves.
| Set type | Case | Who it suits | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wooden folding board | Hinged wood | Home play, display on a coffee table | Weight, hinge and latch quality |
| Leather or leatherette attaché | Stitched case with handle | Players who take a set to friends or clubs | Field material, checker size |
| Tournament set | Large attaché, often with cork or felt fields | Club and tournament players | Open size, checker diameter |
| Travel or magnetic board | Small folding case | Trips and commutes | Whether checkers stay put |
| Personalized set | Engraved or embossed lid | Weddings, anniversaries, retirements | Lead time and return policy |
| Combination board | Board with chess or checkers on the reverse | Households that play several games | Size of each playing surface |
How a backgammon board is laid out
The GNU Backgammon rules describe a board of 24 narrow triangles, called points, arranged in four quarters of six. A bar runs down the middle. Each player has 15 checkers, and the opening setup is the same for both sides, mirrored.
Players open by each rolling one die, and the higher roll moves first using both numbers. Once all 15 of a player’s checkers are in their home quarter, they start bearing off, and the first to bear off every checker wins. The doubling cube lets a player raise the stakes mid-game, which is why full sets include one.
Backgammon sets: wooden, leather and travel
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What a tournament backgammon set includes
A tournament backgammon set is larger than a typical folding board, and one maker’s listing shows the scale. Crisloid, a maker in Providence, Rhode Island, that started in Brooklyn, lists its Classic Green Tournament Attaché at 30.25 by 20.75 by 1.75 inches open and 15 by 20.75 by 3.5 inches closed. It has cork playing fields, checkers 1.75 inches across and half an inch thick, dice cups and a doubling cube.
A set that size needs a full table when open, so check the space where it will be played.
Tip
Wood, leather and personalized backgammon cases
Wooden backgammon boards often have inlaid points and a polished finish, and they look at home on a shelf when closed. They are heavier to carry. Leather and leatherette sets close like a briefcase with a handle, which protects the field and makes them easier to take to a friend’s house.
For a personalized gift, many sellers will engrave or emboss initials on the lid. Ask how long that adds to delivery before ordering for a set date, and check the return policy, since a set with a name on it may not be returnable. A set sold as luxury plays the same game, so compare board size, case material and checker size rather than the label.
Gifts to pair with a backgammon set
Easy add-ons for a backgammon set are a spare set of precision dice, a second doubling cube or a carrying bag for a wooden board. A backgammon player who enjoys two-person games may also like the picks in our two-player board games guide.
More classic games for two or more
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For more traditional games, browse the classic board game gifts section, with our pages on cribbage, Clue and Monopoly, or the wider classic board games guide.
Frequently asked questions
What comes in a full backgammon set?
A full set has a board of 24 points, 15 checkers for each player, dice, dice cups and a doubling cube. Travel boards sometimes skip the cups, so check the listing if the gift is for a regular player.
What size backgammon board is best for a gift?
Measure the table where it will be played. Crisloid's Classic Green Tournament Attaché, sold as a tournament set, opens to 30.25 by 20.75 inches and closes to 15 by 20.75 inches; smaller folding boards suit travel.
Is a leather backgammon set worth it?
Leather and leatherette cases close like an attaché and protect the playing field, so they suit a gift that will be carried to games. A wooden board is often heavier but makes a good display piece on a coffee table.
Can I get a backgammon set personalized?
Many sellers offer initials or a name on the case lid. Ask before you order how long engraving or embossing adds to delivery, and whether a personalized set can be returned.
How do you set up a backgammon board?
Each player places 2 checkers on their 24-point, 5 on their 13-point, 3 on their 8-point and 5 on their 6-point, as described in the GNU Backgammon rules. The two sides mirror each other across the board.
Sources
- Rules of BackgammonGNU Backgammon
- About CrisloidCrisloid
- Classic Green Tournament Attaché BackgammonCrisloid
Part of our guide to Classic Board Game Gifts: Cribbage, Backgammon, Clue and Monopoly.
Board Game Gifts · Section 04, Classic boards and chess · Updated October 25, 2026
