Backgammon at The Blackfriars Tavern

Backgammon belongs in a pub. It is a game of luck and nerve, and it works best with a drink on the table and someone gently telling you where you went wrong.

We are starting a monthly backgammon night and an internal league at The Blackfriars Tavern. There is a taster first, so you can try it before committing to anything.

Taster night: Wednesday 2 December 2026

Come to the taster on Wednesday 2 December 2026, 19:30 to 22:00. The first hour is for beginners: we will go through the rules and play a few open games with help on hand. After that it is casual games, and a short mini-tournament if numbers allow. Stay for ten minutes or the whole evening.

Club boards are provided; bring your own if you have one. It means more people can play.

The monthly night

The first competition night is Wednesday 6 January 2027, 19:30 to 22:00. After that, backgammon night runs on the first Wednesday of the month through Season 1, which finishes at the end of March 2027.

Matches are 3-point games, with a 5-point final for the top two. The doubling cube is on. There are no cash stakes, entry fees or cash prizes.

Come along for a relaxed evening with a few games, a bit of competition and plenty of time to talk between them. You do not need to be an expert. You do not need to know every rule. Just come along, find a spot, and enjoy it.

The league

The league runs alongside the monthly night, in divisions of four. Each month you play the other three players in your division once. At the end of the month, the top player in each division moves up and the bottom player moves down. The top player in Division 1 is the monthly champion. New players start in the lowest division.

You and your opponent agree a time that suits you both, within the month. Results go through the club results form; the host will confirm the process when you register.

All levels are welcome. New players are not thrown in at the deep end, and nobody will mind if you need a quick reminder of the rules.

If you want the detail first, there is a fuller explainer: How the Blackfriars backgammon league works.

House rules

House rules are on the one-page sheet at the bar and from the host on the night. The short version: 3-point matches, cube on, no cash stakes, and a friendly game either way.