The Royal Game of Ur: Betting in Ancient Mesopotamia

The exact origins of betting or gambling are unknown, and there have been hints that gambling has been prevalent throughout human history. Going back as far as Ancient Mesopotamia, there were primitive gambling rituals and games. That is, back more than 4,000 years ago. Now the culture of gambling was very different back then, and it was not looked at in a favorable light at all. In fact, it is thought that gambling was punished, with the perpetrators having to work hard labor or given other punishments for betting.

Yet there is archaeological evidence and enough hints to suggest gambling existed in Mesopotamia. Dice made of animal bones, horse races and traces of other gambling games have been found. One of the most prominent is the Royal Game of Ur. A two-player strategy game, it is thought to be a very early version of backgammon.

What Is the Royal Game of Ur

Between 1922 and 1934, the Royal Cemetery at Ur was excavated by British archaeologist Sir Leonard Woolley. He discovered five sets of a mystery board game, that dated back to 2,600-2,400 BC. These games were identical, but were made using different materials and decorations. It was not known how the gameboards worked, and they were called the “Royal Game of Ur” because they were located in the Royal Cemetery.

It was not until the early 1980s that Irving Finkel, the curator of the British Museum, translated a clay tablet that described how a variant of the game was played. This tablet was written in 177 BC, a good 2,000 years later, but it referenced the games and had diagrams clearly indicating how it was meant to be played.

The game slowly waned in popularity, and was gradually replaced with “newer” versions of the board game. Senet, in ancient Egypt, was most likely derived from the Royal Game of Ur, as was backgammon.

How to Play the Royal Game of Ur

Basically, it was a racing game, where players had to compete in moving their tokens off the board. It was played using two sets of seven game pieces. The gameboard was a rectangular set of boxes, containing rows and boxes, and the idea was to move the tokens based on the numbers rolled on a four sided dice. A single game could last around half an hour, and it required a mix of luck and good strategy.

To make the game a bit more complex, there were also elements such as catching an opponent’s pieces, re-entering the board, and special squares. The latter were described as having special rules such as granting extra turns or acting as safe zones. And so you could outwit your opponent – creating an illusion of control. Even if the movements were dictated by the roll of a dice – which was all down to chance.

Betting and the Royal Game of Ur

The Royal Game of Ur gameboards were not the only part of the game found in the excavations. One archaeological dig found twenty one white balls alongside a gameboard, which were most likely used for placing wagers. In a translated clay tablet, it was stated that whenever a player skipped a box marked with a rosette on the board, they would have to enter a token into a pot. If the other player landed on the rosette, they could take the token from the pot.

The complexities and various possibilities could open up a grand array of betting opportunities. For instance, players could have set up props bets, for instance on the number of tokens they took from their opponents. Or, betting on how many times they would need to re-enter the board. In Ancient Mesopotamia, we know that there was gambling on the throw of dice. Not just the 4-sided board game dice, but irregular dice made from animal bones.

But with the strategy involved in the Royal Game of Ur, it could provide a more palpable sense of control over the gamble. Just like nowadays if you were to play a game of blackjack. Your decision could directly impact the outcome. Even if you are, ultimately, predicting the draw of a card, which revolves around luck. But with a good strategy, you theoretically improve your chances of winning.

Skill Based Games in Gambling

The fusion of uncertainty and risk, as well as an element of strategy, draws parallels with many modern casino games. Games that appeal to risk takers and also to people who like to play games where you can develop skills and outwit your opponent. Casino games such as slots or roulette don’t really offer the latter. Even if you have a nudge function in slots, or other game mechanics to make it seem like you are impacting the outcome. It doesn’t really take away the fact that the slots run on random sequence algorithms.

Whereas in poker cashgames, you are going head to head with your opponent and trying to outwit them. If casinos offer backgammon cash games, these would be the most similar to the Royal Game of Ur. It requires a little foresight and risk assessment, as well as luck. Of course, this can also lead to players developing cognitive biases. Such as an overconfidence in your abilities, also called gambler’s conceit. Or, underestimating how much of a role luck plays.

Where You Can Play the Royal Game of Ur

You can play the Royal Game of Ur online. There are many sites that offer the game, against bots or real players. It is actually quite easy to get started, and within a few rounds, you will get the gist of how to play the ancient game. Of course, to speed up the learning curve, be sure to look at the rulebook and check out the rules on different tiles. There may be tiles where you can take another turn, or ones that protect you from combat.

There are also mobile apps on Google Play and the App Store that have the Royal Game of Ur. Some variants may have bigger gameboards or use additional special tiles. And be sure to check out if they use Finkel’s rules, or any other modern interpretation of the game.

The one thing you won’t find is the Royal Game of Ur being offered at casinos. It does have the makings of a compelling casino game, but the Royal Game of Ur has not caught on among software providers in a big way yet. This is not because the dynamics are difficult to reproduce. It is mainly because no software provider or casino operator has made a game with a designated payout structure. Casino games need to have a house edge, as this is the only way casinos can deliver them without going out of business. And the Royal Game of Ur has not yet been adapted for real money gameplay.

Most Similar Casino Games to the Royal Game of Ur

Backgammon is the direct descendant of the Royal Game of Ur, though it is not typically offered at online casinos. There are a few operators with real money backgammon rooms, but these are quite niche, and a lot are unregulated sites. You won’t really find any games that have a direct connection to the Royal Game of Ur at any online casinos. But if you are looking for a game that mixes strategy and chance, then you are in luck.

The likes of blackjack, poker and video poker involve decision making and pure luck. You can master the games and learn how to apply basic strategies or optimise your gameplay to reduce the house edge. At the end of the day, though, what happens on the table is all down to the draw of a card. And that is something you cannot predict. No matter how skilled or insightful you are at the game.

Craps is another intriguing one, as it has the same dice mechanics. Only you are betting on the result of a dice throw. You will find plenty of bets to place, and enough high risk wagers with bigger potential returns. Online games that use cards or dice don’t use real dice or card decks. Instead, they use random sequence algorithms to generate outcomes.

In short, the system randomizes every outcome, making the games impossible to predict. In card games, the platform automatically reshuffles the deck after each round. So you can forget any card counting strategies in blackjack. There is virtually no deck penetration if the cards are shuffled after every hand.

Enjoy the Game and Test Your Friends

The Royal Game of Ur is a compelling venture that can be enjoyed today just as it was over 4,000 years ago. The game reminds us that gambling has been present in human history since time immemorial. We have gambled throughout history. Whether on the outcome of a dice roll, betting on horse races, or a board game, like the Royal Game of Ur.

You can play the Royal Game of Ur online for free against bots or real players. Or, you may find it at some alternative board game retailers. We even found one at the British Museum, that you can order. Buy the board game and you can play it at home with family and friends. The game is quite a compelling play, and a very social game that puts your wits to the test. And remember, if you are going to play for a little money, strategy alone won’t win it for you. A certain amount of luck is needed – just like any modern skill-based casino game.