Backgammon's Rise in the Modern Age

During the early nineteen hundreds, Backgammon came forth and had developed even more variations and improvements as well. As early as the 1920s, the element of skill in the backgammon game was improved by the advent of what is known to players as the doubling cube. The suggestion for this doubling cube was presented by an unknown gambler in the city of New York, who was only seeking to promote the game, thereby, securing its spot as a popular pastime or leisure activity. Many aristocrats played the game in various privileged organizations and social gatherings, although, many starter backgammon instructional guide books have been published since then.

In the year 1931, Backgammon rules were changed in the United States, and the game was then altered in such a way that it soon evolved into the game rules of backgammon now known today. During the time of the great Depression, people did not seem to be drawn to the game, however, in the dawn of the 1940s burgeoned forth a new revival of the backgammon game, and some additional guides started being printed. This, did not, however, really make the game as popular is it could be due to the fact that the Second World War was just around the corner.

It took a while before the backgammon game started becoming trendier again. In the 1960s, Prince Alexis Obelensky has become responsible for holding backgammon competitions and paving the way for World Championships of Backgammon in the Bahamas, a competition that still pushes on to this day. That was the era when many books regarding backgammon and how to play the game, were published, one of which was written by Prince Obelensky entitled, Backgammon: The Action Game.

In the seventies, backgammon truly became a popular sport and form of gambling as these were the days known to the game as its "glory days". More competitions were being hosted; and more books and articles were being released to the public. After some time, the game eventually was not considered as just a game for the upper echelons of society, but a game for everybody, regardless of their age, or social and economic status in life.

People started playing backgammon in competitions, and began gambling millions in dollar currency. It soon became a very popular game in North America and in the European continent. Of course, the game is at struggling odds to rival with various video games that are out in the market. Therefore, it has not really become that popular to kids who would rather spend their time playing video games instead.

The Backgammon game still however, is very much alive and popular all around the world.