Best Backgammon Sets UK 2026

The game has waited a very long time for you. Race games close to backgammon were being played at the Burnt City in Iran around 3000 BC, and the rules have barely shifted since. Two players, thirty checkers, a little luck and a great deal of judgement.

Buying a set today is a smaller decision, but it still rewards care. The board you want will last decades, take daily handling, and feel right under the hand. We build ours from FSC-certified timber, and every set that could reach a child is tested to UKCA and CE safety standards.

This guide sets out what actually matters, then names the sets worth your money. You can browse the full range across our backgammon collection as you read.

What to Look for in a Backgammon Set Before You Spend a Penny

Start with the board itself. A standard backgammon board carries 24 narrow triangular points, and those points should be crisply defined, evenly spaced, and coloured for contrast. Cheap sets often blur the edges, which makes reading the board harder during quick play.

Check what comes in the box. A complete set holds 15 checkers per player, 30 in total, plus two dice each and a single doubling cube. If the doubling cube is missing, the set was built for casual play rather than proper matches.

Feel the checkers. They should sit heavy enough to stay put when the board is knocked, and stack cleanly when you make a point. Thin plastic discs slide about and spoil the game.

Then consider size and closure. A folding board travels and stores easily; a solid board sits handsomely on a table. Our folding backgammon set shows the compact approach, while our 15 inch mahogany board shows the other.

Materials decide longevity. Wood ages well and takes a knock without cracking; laminated card does not. If you want the reasoning laid out in full, our backgammon board buying guide covers each point in more depth.

Finally, match the set to the player. A learner needs clarity and a fair price. A tournament regular wants a board that meets the standardised play promoted by the British Isles Backgammon Association. Spend where it counts for you, and browse our traditional games if you want to compare.

Which Type of Backgammon Set Is Right for You: Travel, Family, or Luxury

Three players, three sets. The trick is being honest about which one you are.

The traveller wants something that folds shut, holds its pieces, and survives a rucksack. Our folding backgammon set at £14.99 does exactly this: light, closed with a clasp, and cheap enough to carry without worry. We compare the field in our roundup of the best travel backgammon sets, if you play on trains and in gardens more than at a table.

The family wants an all-rounder. Something handsome enough to leave out, sturdy enough for children, and priced sensibly. Our 15 inch club backgammon set at £41.15 fits that brief. It reads clearly across a kitchen table, the checkers have weight, and it takes years of after-dinner games without complaint. If the household plays several games, our wider board games collection sits alongside it happily.

The luxury buyer, or the gift-giver, wants presence. A board with grain you notice, a weight that says it will outlast the occasion. Our mahogany backgammon set at £68.40 is built for that, and it makes a genuine keepsake rather than a passing present.

There is no single right answer, only the right answer for how you play. A commuter buying a mahogany board will resent the weight; a collector buying a folding board will feel short-changed. Start from your habit, not the price.

Whichever way you lean, our backgammon collection lets you set them side by side and decide.

The Best Backgammon Sets in the UK Right Now, Tested and Ranked

We ranked these on the things that matter in use: clarity of the points, weight of the checkers, quality of the build, and value for the money asked.

Best all-rounder is our 15 inch club backgammon set at £41.15. It is the one we recommend to most households. The points are cleanly cut, the checkers stack properly, and the board is large enough to read at a glance without dominating the table. Nothing about it feels compromised at the price.

Best value is our folding backgammon set at £14.99. It will not pretend to be a luxury item, but it is complete, honest, and genuinely playable. For a first set, or a set to keep in the car, it is hard to fault. Beginners learning from our guide on how to play backgammon will get everything they need from it.

Best gift, and best for keeping, is our mahogany backgammon set at £68.40. This is the board you buy once. The timber has real depth of colour, the closure is solid, and it presents beautifully when given. It is the set most likely to be passed down.

Each has a clear job. The folding set travels, the club set lives on the table, the mahogany set marks an occasion. If you are undecided, the whole range sits together in our backgammon collection, and the wider traditional games collection shows what else earns a permanent place on the shelf.

Are Wooden Backgammon Sets Worth the Extra Cost?

Almost always, yes, though not for the reason people assume. It is not simply that wood looks better, although it does. It is that wood behaves better.

A wooden board absorbs the knock of a rolled die and the snap of a placed checker without flexing or splitting. Laminated card lifts at the edges within a season or two, and once it lifts it never lies flat again. Wooden checkers carry weight, so they hold a point when the table is jostled, and they feel deliberate in the hand.

There is also the matter of years. A folding cardboard set is a fair introduction, and our folding backgammon set earns its place for exactly that. But it is a set you replace, not one you keep. A wooden board is a set you keep.

We have been making games since 1795, and the boards that come back to us decades later are almost always the wooden ones, still sound. That is the case for our 15 inch club backgammon set and, above it, the mahogany backgammon set: they are built to be handed on.

The extra cost buys durability, weight, and a board that still looks right after a thousand games. If you play often, it pays for itself in the sets you do not have to buy again. You can see the same principle across our wooden toys, where solid timber outlasts everything around it.

Buy cheap to learn the game. Buy wood to keep it.

How to Look After Your Backgammon Set So It Lasts for Years

A good board asks very little of you, but a little care keeps it right for decades.

Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators. Timber and colour both fade under strong light, and heat can dry wood until it cracks. A shelf away from the window is ideal for a board like our mahogany backgammon set.

Wipe the surface with a barely damp cloth, then dry it at once. Never soak a wooden board or leave it wet, and avoid household sprays, which can dull the finish over time. Dust settles in the points, so a soft brush now and then keeps them crisp.

Store folding sets flat and closed. Standing them on end lets the checkers gather at one edge and can warp a thinner board. Our folding backgammon set keeps its shape well when laid flat between games.

Count your pieces before you put the set away. Fifteen checkers each, four dice, one doubling cube. A missing checker is the most common reason a set falls out of use, and the easiest to prevent.

If a wooden board dries out over years, a light coat of furniture wax restores the colour and feeds the timber. A little, buffed well, is plenty.

Treated this way, a set outlasts the fashion that sold it. The game itself is five thousand years old, as our history of backgammon sets out, so a board that lasts a lifetime is only keeping pace. Look after it, and it becomes the one you hand on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Backgammon Set

What is the best backgammon set to buy in the UK?

For quality and longevity, a backgammon set from Jaques of London is a strong choice. Established in 1795, Jaques is one of the oldest games manufacturers in the world, with a track record of producing well-crafted sets built to last. Look for a set with a solid playing surface, clearly defined points, weighted checkers, and a proper doubling cube. Whether you want a home set or a travel version, prioritising material quality and component weight ensures a satisfying playing experience that a cheaper set simply cannot replicate.

What age is backgammon suitable for?

Backgammon is generally suitable for children aged 7 and upward. The game requires counting, basic probability thinking, and strategic decision-making, making it genuinely educational for older children whilst remaining engaging for adults. Younger children may find the rules and dice combinations complex. Families playing together often find backgammon bridges age gaps well. As one of the oldest known board games — with evidence of similar race games dating to approximately 3000 BC — it has proven its appeal across generations and cultures over millennia.

Are wooden backgammon sets worth it?

Yes, wooden backgammon sets are worth the investment if you play regularly or want a set that improves with age. A quality wooden board offers a stable, flat playing surface, better checker movement, and a premium feel that vinyl or cardboard sets cannot match. Solid wood or quality veneer construction resists warping and wear. Jaques of London, established in 1795, has long produced wooden games sets that endure decades of use. For occasional players, a mid-range wooden set still outperforms cheap alternatives in durability and overall enjoyment.

How do I choose a backgammon set?

Choose a backgammon set based on how and where you will play. For regular home use, prioritise a sturdy hinged case, a smooth inlaid playing surface, and weighted checkers that sit firmly on the points. Check that the set includes 30 checkers (15 per player), four dice, and a doubling cube — the standard components per World Backgammon Federation rules. For travel, look for a compact magnetic set. Brand heritage matters too; a maker like Jaques of London, founded in 1795, signals consistent quality and attention to detail.

What should I look for in a backgammon set?

A good backgammon set should include 24 clearly marked triangular points, 15 checkers per player, two dice per player, and a doubling cube — the standard components under official World Backgammon Federation rules. Beyond components, assess the board's flatness, the weight and finish of the checkers, and the quality of the hinge and clasp on folding sets. Points should contrast sharply for easy visibility during play. Heavier checkers move more satisfyingly and stay in place. Avoid sets where the playing surface flexes or the checkers feel hollow and lightweight.

What size backgammon set is best for home use?

For home use, a medium to large set with an open board measuring roughly 45–55 cm is ideal. This gives comfortable spacing between the 24 points, making checker placement and movement clear without straining the eyes. A folding attache-style case stores neatly on a shelf and protects components between games. Avoid very compact sets for regular home play — the cramped points make the game fiddlier than it needs to be. If you entertain guests, a larger, well-presented set from a reputable maker like Jaques of London also doubles as an attractive display piece.

What is a good backgammon set for beginners?

A beginner needs a set with clear point markings, decent-weight checkers that are easy to pick up and move, and a readable board layout. A mid-range folding set from a reputable maker is ideal — robust enough to last as skills develop, but not so expensive it feels daunting. Ensure it includes a doubling cube even if beginners ignore it initially; you will want it once you progress. Jaques of London, established in 1795, offers sets well-suited to new players who want quality without overcomplicating their first purchase.

How much should I spend on a decent backgammon set?

A genuinely decent backgammon set in the UK typically starts around £40–£60 for a reliable mid-range wooden set, rising to £100–£200 or more for premium craftsmanship with quality veneer, weighted checkers, and durable hardware. Very cheap sets under £20 often have thin boards, lightweight hollow checkers, and poor hinges that fail quickly. Spending more upfront on a quality set from an established maker like Jaques of London — founded in 1795 — delivers better play, longer life, and real value compared to replacing a budget set every few years.

What is the difference between a cheap and an expensive backgammon set?

The differences are tangible and affect how the game feels to play. Cheap sets typically use hollow plastic checkers, thin cardboard or flimsy vinyl boards, and weak hinges that crack with regular use. Expensive sets feature weighted checkers in resin or corian, solid or veneered wooden boards that lie completely flat, sharp point definition, and quality metal clasps. The standard game requires 24 points, 30 checkers, four dice, and a doubling cube — expensive sets deliver all of these to a standard that enhances play rather than hindering it.

Can you get a good travel backgammon set that doesn't fall apart?

Yes, but you need to be selective. The best travel backgammon sets use magnetic checkers or deep-set cup holders to prevent pieces shifting in transit, a rigid case rather than a soft pouch, and a playing surface that folds flat without buckling. Avoid very cheap travel sets — the magnets are often weak and the board warps quickly. A compact set from a reputable maker like Jaques of London, established in 1795, will withstand repeated packing and unpacking. Spending slightly more on a travel set saves the frustration of scattered pieces and a bowing board.

Explore more from our workshop: our backgammon, our board games, our traditional games, our wooden toys, backgammon board buying guide uk 2026, best travel backgammon sets uk 2026, history of backgammon and how to play backgammon rules setup strategy — every piece made to the same standard Jaques has held since 1795.