Last updated on April 20, 2024
Once you have started playing backgammon you will want to buy a good quality backgammon set. The big question is, how much to spend on a quality backgammon set?
At Deluxe Backgammon we focus on quality over price. High-end backgammon sets can cost many thousands of pounds, but you do not need to spend this much to purchase a quality backgammon set. There is a number of quality backgammon sets that we recommend that fall well below this price bracket. Playability and quality will always supersede price.
Backgammon sets can be made from many different materials and the more expensive the material, the higher the overall cost. Also, the craftsmanship of a handmade backgammon set can push the price into hundreds or thousands of pounds. Expense aside, a beautifully finished board makes the pastime much more fun and will add pleasure to every game.
Accessories
Apart from the backgammon board itself, the accessories can add to the expense of the collection. Checkers can be made from resin, wood, leather, metal or a combination of the above. The dice can also be precision made from plastic or constructed as non-precision from wood. The non-precision dice are perfectly acceptable for social play. At Deluxe Backgammon we always prefer those materials that are sustainably resourced.
Dice cups are another backgammon accessory that can add to the cost of the set. Typically, these are made from leatherette or plastic. At Deluxe Backgammon we prefer those made from wood or leather, such as our Kingsley Bespoke Dice cups.
Price
Back to the question. How much do you need to spend to purchase a Deluxe Backgammon set? If you are not yet ready to spend thousands on a luxury backgammon set, such as a Geoffrey Parker or an Alexandra Llewellyn set, there are plenty more options on the market. Many veteran players do not own expensive boards and are pleased to play with quality checkers and dice on a well-made, but inexpensive backgammon board.
Current Favourite
At Deluxe Backgammon, we consider boards from all price ranges. At the moment our preferred board is the Jaques of London Mahogany Backgammon set, with added wooden dice and Kingsley Bespoke Dice cups. This backgammon set is priced at £54.99 RRP. This is a quality backgammon set that will last for generations. There are also many other backgammon options listed on this website that are priced below £200. Please review our recommendations by price (see links below).
In the near future, we hope to consider some of the more upmarket choices, where you are choosing a set that is not only playable, but also a work of art and an investment piece. Backgammon is a wonderful game and there are many affordable options when selecting a set for purchase.
I’ve been playing backgammon on a weekly basis for over twenty years on a backgammon set I bought in Turkey 25 years ago, I think it cost me £5. You don’t need to spend much to enjoy a game of backgammon.