3000 BCE
The earliest known ancestor is the Royal Game of Ur, discovered in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), dice-based race games were widely played among Sumerians and Babylonians..
About Us
About Mind Skillz
Mind Skillz’s focus and foundation is to help spread awareness, provide education, and offer a quality playing experience of backgammon, while sharing the pleasures and frustrations of this fascinating game.
Mind Skillz’s offering spans across 8 categories: a Members’ Club, Backgammon Classes, School Partnerships, Weekly Local Tournaments, National Tournaments, International Tournaments, Backgammon Tournament Consultancy, and Games Transcribing.
Mind Skillz Tournament insights since 2021:
TOURNAMENTS ORGANIZED
416
WEEKLY
8
NATIONAL
8
VIP
4
INTERNATIONAL
TOTAL PLAYERS
13400
800
200
1400
Patrick Gebeili
Our General Manager and Founding Partner of Mind Skillz Patrick Gebeili, is a pioneering force in backgammon, having established Dubai’s first backgammon club and successfully registered it as a mind sport with the Dubai Sports Council.
After a successful professional career spanning multiple geographies and industries including F&B, Media, and Hospitality, Patrick transformed a lifelong passion for backgammon into a professional pursuit.
With over 35 years of management and competitive experience, Patrick has participated in numerous international tournaments across Northern Cyprus, Turkey, Italy, Gibraltar, Monaco, Montenegro, Germany, and Dubai, while actively promoting the game through tournaments, education programs, and community development for aspiring players aged 10 and above.
Patrick is also globally ranked and currently holds the title of Master in the sport.
Accreditations
Officially approved as a mind sport by the Dubai Sports Council.
Being an official mind sport has highly elevated the reach of Backgammon and elevated its credibility in the UAE and beyond.
Certified by the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body.
BMAB awards mastership titles and proficiency level certificates to players based on demonstrated skill.
Certified by the World Backgammon Federation.
Mind Skillz is the only non-federation entity globally who’s been certified.
Mission
MindSkillz exists to professionalize and expand the sport of backgammon by delivering structured tournaments, building an engaged competitive community, and creating high-quality experiences for players, partners, and sponsors.
Organizing professionally managed tournaments
Raising competitive standards
Supporting player development
Providing premium sponsorship platforms
Leveraging digital and media channels to grow global reach
Vision
To become the leading competitive backgammon organization in the Middle East and a globally recognized reference point for world-class tournaments, professional standards, and international player excellence.
Our Values
To become the leading competitive backgammon organization in the Middle East and a globally recognized reference point for world-class tournaments, professional standards, and international player excellence.
Excellence
Commitment to premium standards in organization and experience.
Integrity
Fair play, transparency, and professionalism.
Respect
Honoring the heritage and discipline of the game.
Community
Inclusion, diversity, and collaboration.
Innovation
Continuous improvement and modernization.
Commitment
Long-term dedication to sustainable growth.
5,000+
Years Of Strategy
Backgammon is widely considered the oldest board game in recorded human history, with origins tracing back over 5,000 years to ancient Mesopotamia. Its earliest ancestor, the Royal Game of Ur, laid the foundation for modern race-and-dice mechanics.
History Of Backgammon
Oldest Board Game In History
THE BIRTH
THE BIRTH
1920S
A game of τάβλι (Tavli) played by Byzantine emperor Zeno in which he goes from a strong position to a very weak one after an unfortunate dice roll.
1920S
Modern Competitive Era where the doubling cube is introduced, adding strategy, psychology, and risk.
3RD-5TH CENTURY AD
Nard (or Nardshir) is a Persian table game. Played on a 24-point board with 15 pieces per player and two dice.
17TH-CENTURY
The name "backgammon" appears, derived from the Middle English "baec" (back) and "gamen" (game), referring to pieces moving back to the home area.
1972
Backgammon enters clubs and international competitive circuits and thrives as a modern mind sport.
