Appreciating Backgammon Checkers
Backgammon game board sets include checkers, sometimes also called chips or tiles. Often, though, you can find yourself short of a checker or two. They can easily roll away unnoticed when packing up the game. You don't have to worry, though. There are backgammon game board checkers being sold separately in packs of 30, divided into two different colors. You can even buy them by the piece.
It is not rare to see professional backgammon players bringing their own checkers to tournaments where the standard backgammon game board is provided. Perhaps they consider these their lucky checkers.
Other backgammon enthusiasts collect checkers apart from those already included in their backgammon game board sets. After all, there is so much to appreciate.
Although all backgammon checkers can be described as small discs, they can vary in size and thickness depending on the size of the game board. They can also vary in material, style and color. Most are flat and smooth. Many designers have created textured backgammon game board checkers, though, with ridges, nubs, grooves or finger depressions. They may or may not be lined with felt on the underside.
You can still find backgammon checkers in rare materials such as horn, ivory or ebony with antique backgammon game board sets. These can no longer be duplicated because such materials are now either restricted or hard to find. Collectors value such treasures and they will not come cheap. Sets are sold in the vicinity of a thousand dollars.
You can approximate those backgammon game board checkers of ivory or horn by getting brand new checkers of natural animal bone. These are available at only about $25.00. More expensive are backgammon game board checkers of natural alabaster. These can cost up to $60.00.
Modern backgammon gameboard sets can include wonderful surprises, too. Consider, for example a set done in crystal or glass. The checkers included in that set will be very pretty indeed.
From Italy comes backgammon game board checkers plated in 24 karat gold or silver. They come in standard and large sizes with the diameter measuring 1 ¾ inches. Of course, they cost higher than average at several hundred dollars per set. That means a set of checkers alone, without the board and other game implements.
Brass-plated backgammon game board checkers are lower in price but a set still costs about a hundred dollars.
Wooden backgammon game board checkers are also very beautiful with their natural grain and colors. They cost more or less the same as checkers of bone.
Even backgammon game board checkers of acrylic and resin can be very attractive and come in various finishes such as mother of pearl or marble.
Backgammon game board checkers can be appreciated not only for their function in the game. Like their partner boards they can also be objects of beauty.