A Brief History of Backgammon in High Society
And Why the World’s Most Stylish Players Still Carry It Everywhere
Backgammon is one of the oldest social board games on record, but it didn’t just survive thousands of years; it ascended. Across decades of glamour, from Slim Aarons poolside photographs to yacht decks in the Mediterranean, the game became a symbol of leisure, intellect, and quiet status. It has always been the game for people who love connection wrapped in style.
Today, the tradition lives on in design-forward favorites from travel backgammon boards, the portable backgammon board, and every kind of modern backgammon set that merges aesthetic appeal with performance. But long before we had a backgammon board that fit neatly into a carry-on, the game was already a staple of society’s most fascinating circles.
Slim Aarons and the Original “Beautiful Players”
If backgammon had a photographer, it was Slim Aarons. His lens captured mid-century glamour not by looking at celebrities on red carpets, but by catching them in their natural habitat—lounging, laughing, living beautifully.
Look closely at Aarons’ images from the 50s through the 70s and you’ll often find a board set casually between sunbathers or perched beside a pool. Backgammon wasn’t staged. It was part of the environment, like sunglasses, sunscreen, and a chilled drink.
It signaled something: relaxation with an edge of sophistication. The same vibe today’s players try to recreate with luxury board games that look just as good open as they do closed.
Aarons understood that the real luxury wasn’t excess. It was ease. Backgammon perfectly embodied that—simple to learn, stylish to display, and endlessly replayable.
Beloved by Celebrities, Royals, and Power Players
The game’s rise in high society wasn’t accidental. It was championed by an eclectic mix of icons:
The Hollywood Set:
Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Omar Sharif (a tournament-level player) made backgammon the off-screen pastime of choice. It added a cerebral flair to their glamorous image, the same way a modern backgammon set does for contemporary entertainers today.
The Jet-Set Europeans:
From Greek shipping magnates to Italian tastemakers, the game traveled across Riviera beach clubs and private villas in St. Tropez and Capri. A backgammon match could stretch from a late lunch to sunset, with friends drifting in and out—much like modern game night ideas centered on connection more than competition.
Politicians & Diplomats:
Winston Churchill played during downtime. King Hussein of Jordan was famous for bringing a board everywhere. Royals and politicians embraced the game for what it was: strategic, elegant, and portable before portability was a trend.
Which brings us back to today’s must-have: the rise of the stylish travel backgammon board for anyone who wants to play like a jetsetter without owning a jet.
From Yacht Decks to Weekenders: The Modern Revival
Backgammon’s resurgence didn’t happen by accident. As more of us prioritize experiences over excess, the appetite for luxury board games, social board games, and beautifully made objects has grown. People want pieces that invite connection, not clutter.
Cue the new era of elevated design:
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A portable backgammon board tucked inside a weekend bag.
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A handcrafted backgammon board that doubles as decor.
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A travel backgammon board that turns downtime into memory-making.
The game has evolved, yet the vibe remains unmistakable—glam, effortless, community-driven.
Why Backgammon Became (and Remains) a Status Symbol
High society didn’t gravitate to backgammon for the rules. They gravitated to it for the atmosphere it created. The board was more than a game; it was an invitation.
And that holds true today:
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It’s one of the best games for entertaining because matches are fast, lively, and spectator-friendly.
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It’s stylish enough to leave out on a table, especially if you own a design-forward modern backgammon set.
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It encourages conversation, rivalry, and repeat play—everything people want from their game night ideas.
A beautiful board says something. It tells guests you care about details. It says you enjoy competition but not chaos. It says you know how to have fun, and you know how to host.
The Legacy Continues: Today’s Players, Today’s Boards
Backgammon in high society has always been about the mix: part strategy, part style, part social glue. The tradition lives on each time someone pulls out a handcrafted backgammon board on vacation, or when friends crowd around a portable backgammon board on a rooftop to see who rolls doubles next.
It’s why brands that prioritize design, durability, and portability—hello, GAMMN—feel so aligned with the game’s heritage. A modern backgammon set should honor its glamorous past while fitting seamlessly into the way we live now. Light enough to carry, bold enough to display, and built to last.
In other words: timeless.
Game On
From Slim Aarons estates to your next getaway, backgammon has always been more than a pastime. It’s a lifestyle. A marker of taste. A way of bringing people together, elegantly.
So channel your inner jet-setter. Pour a drink, pack a board, and play wherever life takes you.
High society set the standard, but you get to carry it forward—one stylish match at a time.
