9 Backgammon Sets Worth Setting Up on the Table
Yellow Mountain Imports Backgammon Set wins on playing surface, with a board wide enough that five checkers sit on a point cleanly. Sondergut Roll-Up Backgammon Set rolls into a rucksack for travel. WE Games Deluxe Backgammon Set covers everyday home play in a traditional inlaid wooden case.
Yellow Mountain Imports Backgammon Set leads because board width and checker weight are what make regular games feel right. Travel belongs to the Sondergut Roll-Up Backgammon Set, which rolls flat with nothing loose to lose. For a traditional wooden case that lives on a shelf, WE Games Deluxe Backgammon Set is the sensible answer.
Listing photos hide the two dimensions that decide play: open board width and checker diameter. Pair full-size checkers with an undersized board and a loaded point spills into its neighbour, which slows the game and makes the position harder to read. Hinges that loosen, felt that wears bald and magnets that stop holding are the failures owners describe most often. We compared open board dimensions, checker diameter and weight, case materials, hinge design and the dice and doubling cubes supplied.
Our top picks
Yellow Mountain Imports Backgammon Set
Proportions land where they should: a full point of checkers sits without spilling, and the surface lets pieces slide instead of catching. Checkers carry enough mass that placing one feels deliberate rather than fiddly. Case finishing is clean, though the assembled set is heavy enough to want a shelf rather than a bag.
Pros
- Board width takes a full point without crowding
- Weighted checkers place precisely
- Well finished case stores upright
Cons
- Heavy to carry to a game night
- Hinges need care when closing
Sondergut Roll-Up Backgammon Set
Board rolls into a bundle and the pieces travel in a pouch, so nothing rattles loose in a rucksack. Suede versions flatten quickly after unrolling, while leather takes longer to settle. Dice run less truly on a soft surface than they do on a rigid board.
Pros
- Packs down smaller than any case set
- Light enough for a day bag
- Suede and leather develop a patina with use
Cons
- Soft surface makes dice rolls less true
- Edges curl until the board settles
WE Games Deluxe Backgammon Set
WE Games has built this style of wooden case for decades, and the inlaid board and latching lid show it. Checkers are sized to the board rather than shrunk to save material. Finish is functional instead of decorative, which suits a set that comes out weekly.
Pros
- Checkers correctly sized to the board
- Case latches securely for storage
- Inlaid wood surface wears well
Cons
- Plain finish next to decorative sets
- Wooden checkers slide less smoothly than acrylic
GSE Games & Sports Expert Backgammon Set
Larger case sizes deliver the roomy points regular players want, and the extra width shows on a crowded home board. Leatherette keeps the weight below a solid wood case of similar dimensions. Bigger boards want a dining table, not a coffee table.
Pros
- Roomy points that never crowd
- Lighter than an equivalent wooden case
- Interior stows pieces neatly
Cons
- Needs a full size table to open
- Leatherette scuffs more easily than wood
Manopoulos Backgammon Set
Greek-styled inlay work makes this the set that stays out on display between games. Board dimensions are proper rather than decorative, so styling does not cost you playability. Its finished surfaces mark if the set is treated casually.
Pros
- Inlay work stands up as a display piece
- Full playing dimensions despite the styling
- Feels substantial in the hand
Cons
- Decorative finish marks under rough handling
- Dice cups are not included in every version
Hey! Play! Backgammon Set
Someone learning the rules can start here without hesitation, and the set plays properly for that job. Case is light and the checkers are moulded plastic rather than weighted. Nightly use will show on a printed surface inside a season.
Pros
- Straightforward set for learning the game
- Light and easy to store on a shelf
- Arrives complete with dice and doubling cube
Cons
- Unweighted checkers feel insubstantial
- Printed surface wears with heavy use
Juegoal Backgammon Set
Magnetic checkers hold position when the board gets knocked, which rescues a half-finished game in a car or caravan. Homes with pets or small children get the same protection at the kitchen table. Magnets add drag, so pieces do not slide the way loose checkers do.
Pros
- Pieces stay put when the board is bumped
- Works on unstable surfaces and in vehicles
- Compact enough for a glovebox
Cons
- Magnetic drag changes the feel of play
- Small board crowds a fully loaded point
Before you buy
What to look for in a backgammon set Four things decide how a set plays: board width, checker diameter and weight, surface material and the quality of the pieces supplied. Width and checker size have to match, or a loaded point spills over. Weighted checkers stay where you put them and are easier to place one-handed. Surface matters next, since felt, inlaid wood and vinyl all affect how a piece slides. Dice, cups and the doubling cube are where cost cutting shows first, so read the includes line before ordering.
What size backgammon board should you buy? Sets are usually listed by closed case length, which tells you about storage rather than play. What counts is whether five checkers fit on one point without overlapping the next. Larger cases such as the GSE boards give obvious breathing room and suit players who look at the whole position at once. Compact boards work for occasional games and travel, but crowded points slow beginners down most of all. Where a listing gives only one of board width or checker diameter, treat the omission as a warning.
Case set vs roll-up board: which suits you? Hinged cases double as storage and give a rigid surface where dice tumble properly, which is why home players prefer them. Roll-ups like the Sondergut weigh a fraction as much and go in a day bag, at the cost of a soft field and edges that curl until the board settles. Magnetic boards form a third category, trading slide for pieces that survive being knocked. Choose by where the set will actually be used rather than by how it photographs.
How to keep a wooden board flat and the felt clean Damp and direct sun are what warp a wooden case and crack inlay, so keep a set away from radiators and conservatory windows. Brush felt with a soft clothes brush rather than washing it, since moisture lifts the glue underneath. Wipe vinyl and wood with a barely damp cloth, then dry immediately. Hinges are the usual failure point on folding cases, so close the board gently and tighten loose screws before they strip the surrounding wood.
The lineup, side by side
| # | Model | Board | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yellow Mountain Imports Backgammon Set | Full size folding case board | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Sondergut Roll-Up Backgammon Set | Roll up suede or leather | Best for travel | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | WE Games Deluxe Backgammon Set | Wooden folding case | Best value | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | GSE Games & Sports Expert Backgammon Set | Large leatherette case board | Best for large playing surface | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Manopoulos Backgammon Set | Decorative wood case board | Best for gift giving | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Hey! Play! Backgammon Set | Compact folding case | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Juegoal Backgammon Set | Compact folding magnetic board | Best for families | 8.0 | Check price |
Common questions
What size backgammon board should I buy?
Mid-size boards suit most homes, while larger cases give roomier points for regular play. Judge by whether five checkers fit on a point without overlapping rather than by the closed case length. Frequent players should size up.
How many checkers come in a backgammon set?
Thirty in total, fifteen per colour, along with two dice per player and one doubling cube. Many sets add a second pair of dice and two cups. Count everything on arrival, since missing checkers are the most commonly reported fault.
Do backgammon sets include a doubling cube?
Most do, and any set aimed at real play should. The cube is used to raise the stakes mid-game and is central to competitive backgammon. Casual sets sometimes omit it, and replacements are simple to buy separately.
Are magnetic backgammon sets any good?
They earn their place in cars, caravans and homes where a board gets knocked. Magnets change the feel, since checkers stick rather than slide, and magnetic boards tend to be small. For a table at home, a conventional set is more satisfying to play on.
What is the difference between a wood and a leatherette case?
Wood looks traditional and lasts indefinitely when kept dry, while leatherette weighs less and shrugs off knocks. Leatherette corners scuff over years of handling. Both play equally well when the interior surface is properly finished.
Which backgammon set is best for travel?
Sondergut Roll-Up Backgammon Set is the one to pack, since it rolls flat and stores its pieces in a pouch. Magnetic sets like the Juegoal are the alternative when the board will be played on a moving surface. Both trade playing surface quality for portability.
Can a backgammon set double as a chess or checkers set?
Many wooden cases carry a chess or draughts board on the outer face, though the pieces for those games are rarely supplied. Combination sets that include everything do exist. Read the includes line rather than assuming the printed board comes with pieces.
How do I clean a backgammon playing surface?
Brush felt gently with a soft clothes brush, and wipe wood or vinyl with a barely damp cloth before drying it. Avoid soaking any surface, since moisture lifts felt glue and swells wood. Store the board closed so dust stays off the field.
Are heavier checkers better?
Weighted checkers place more precisely and are less likely to be nudged out of position, which is why most regular players prefer them. Very light plastic pieces slide around during play. Weight matters more than material, since good acrylic checkers play as well as wooden ones.
Is a backgammon set a good gift?
It works well as one, because the game teaches quickly and a handsome board stays out on display. Manopoulos sets are built with that in mind, using inlay work without shrinking the playing dimensions. For a beginner, pair any set with a printed rules card.
Our take
Yellow Mountain Imports Backgammon Set is the one to buy for a board that lives at home, because surface quality and checker weight are what make regular games enjoyable. Sondergut Roll-Up Backgammon Set is the answer whenever the game has to travel. Choose WE Games Deluxe Backgammon Set for a traditional wooden case that gets used rather than admired.
Rachel Simmons
Rachel previously worked in child-product retail and brings a practical, detail-first eye to gear reviews, focusing on safety standards, ease of use and the fine print that matters most for new caregivers.
