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fantastic explanation, thank you

I always found 4-1 a bad opening roll

I just bought a backgammon suitcase similar to this one. When it is open, the board doesn't lay entirely flat because of the screws and hinges in the middle. Is that normal? Should I return the set?

Hi. Great video. When you made the comment about opening moves in Paul Lamford's book, his suggestion for 4-1 is generally more correct than slotting on the 5 point. The exception is only when you are trailing by a hefty amount in a match, and then it becomes preferable.

I always hate when I start with 21 slotting, and then my opponent coming up with a 64. So heartbreaking when that happens.

A very good series for total beginners that I have recommended to several. I appreciate the time you have put in to make these videos. Rather than likening it to a 'circle' I prefer to describe the movement of checkers as following a 'horseshoe' path, and that is my only little gripe.

Can a player who's already started bearing off get a checker sent to the bar by the opponent's re-entering checker?

Fantastic instructions thank you! If a player was on the bar and he threw his dice allowing one checker to come out but the second dice doesn't enable a checker to move, does that player stay on the bar or...

Great video. Thanks. If you have a checker on the 1 point, 2 checkers on the 2 point and one checker on the 4 point and you roll double 5's, would you win the game?

Just watched part 1 and now half way through part 2 and I just have to say, thanks for your attention to detail and the way you are explaining backgammon. Super interesting learning about all of the parts of this game. Pure joy listening to you and learning how to play backgammon. Thanks.

It's difficult for me 🤑 🤑 🤑 🤑 🤑

Interesting video. Re Magriel's book, I know that you do not wish to comment on the errors made in 70s books but if you actually put the exhibition game (Chapter 6) through XG, his recommended moves give PRs of 16 and 12 respectively. Reason enough not to read that chapter if you want to learn how to play well. Also, re your 21 openers, they are both almost exactly equal on XG and, yes, you might be more inclined to play the split if you are ahead and the slot if you are behind. Same for the 41 as you have said but the book was a beginner's book.

The rules we play say that if you don't like the opening combination the winner of the roll can decide to roll again for his 1st move, in this case it is possible to start with a double.

Ty so much

Thks so much for these videos. Could you clarify something for me please. Say, all of red pieces are home, maybe even some born off. Perhaps on one point red has a single checker on a point. Black has one on the bar, which has to come back into play via red's home board. Can black hit that single red as he re enters or indeed as he moves along red's home board on his way round again?

Thank you, I finally start understanding the game.

not a gammon player, but there's a new CCG game "marvel snap" and it has a doubling cube which can doubled up to 3 times. Can anyone give me rough % numbers as to what min equity one should have when considering first doubling and when considering accepting a double?

My Mom taught me to play when I was young and she told me last week she missed playing and no one would play with her so I got her board out and we had a few good games. Started watching your videos and have learned a few things she didn't know so it's been fun talking with her about it and playing. She also thought you had to have exact numbers to get checkers off board but after watching the world champions play, that is not the case. In fact, you and she, are the only ones I've seen who play that way. Why is that? Where did you hear it from? Great videos and I look forward to learning more. Just had to ask about this because clearly that is information being spread out there but if the pros don't do that, why would we?

These are very helpful. I appreciate it sir. Can I ask why it is bad to have stacks on 2 as opposed to 3 4 or 5. As a beginner it seems like all the home points are valid. I see why 5 is considered the Golden point. Just learned that term to today but I'm a fast learner and would like to improve as quickly as possible. Hence videos like yours :)

Neden oyunu acmiyorsunuz

You are a fine teacher! 👍🏻 For those who say it's too slow, this is perfect for beginners. If somebody wants a more condensed overview, there are several out there, it may be useful to watch those and then come here for the details. I played often, many many years ago, forgot all I know, and I thought looking at a few of the "condensed versions" would jog my memory, but no luck. This video was perfect to solidify the rules and moves. I really like how you addressed salient topics in separate videos. I'm always impressed by somebody who can teach like this, as you said at the beginning, no script, but everything was perfectly fluid and if it were me, it would be filled with um's and uh's.

Hello, Sir! I've finished all your videos and I want to thank you for being so patient in explaining everything. As of the moment, I have no one to play with to practice what I've learned. You recommended softwares in one of your videos and they are very helpful as well. I was wondering if you could also suggest Backgammon apps so we can play using our mobile phones. Please!

by far the best instruction on the game that I've seen. thank you

What if ur out and u roll a double. Do u re entry then have 3/4 more doubles left?

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks

Very clear

Thanks

There are some good videos on CZcams for how to play backgammon but your series stands head and shoulders above them all. Thank you for sharing these. They are all excellent.

Thank you for this Backgammon for beginners series! I have been wanting to learn how to play for a long time and reading the instructions that come with the set just doesn't work for me. So, your videos are just want I needed. My recent visit to Istanbul where tavla (backgammon) is played everywhere made me determined to finally learn how to play!

I enjoyed your videos a lot! Thank you.

Really good videos!! Very clear concepts.

Excelent videos. keep posting!

This tutorial was really well-paced for a complete beginner. I have been playing backgammon for a while now but still picked things up particularly in the 2 doubling videos that I did not understand before. I certainly would appreciate a "next level up" tutorial that continues on where this leaves off. E.g. for players who have mastered the basics but want to go to the next level.

Sorry 1:49 on the video.

Thank you for this. You explain it very well. In the example of the black being on the bar and a 6 and 4 is rolled, the black cannot enter on the 6 so must enter on the 4. (1:56 on the video): you mention that the 6 must be used somewhere else. I wonder if the 6 can still be used by the same black disk after it has entered on the 4? If so, it would then move up 6 and hit the one red disk on the sixth space and send it to the bar? So black can still use both the 4 and 6 to enter? Hope I haven’t made it confusing.

This series: very nicely done. I came to this vid to get a basic idea of backgammon rules and I feel I have a rudimental understanding. I expect you'd do well to prepare a series for Intermediate and Advanced players as well.

May I make a helpful point?: I have rolled similar "holed" dice 2000 times, and found that there were about 12% fewer 1's. Barney Taylor-Maunder also did a trial - only 1000 roll - but found a difference of 15%. So the extra weight of the 1 - having fewer holes - causes it to land on the underside significantly more often.

What kind of board is this? Because I find only red/white or wooden versions but not red/black on your video and I like it...

Dude, you take TOO MUCH TIME. I'm very sure you have good advice but this is 2022 - folks won't watch you're slow talking, slow to get to a point, frustrating way. Get to it fast.

I learnt a lot!! Thanks!!

What size is a tournament board

very good intro series. if you check out google play reviews of backgammon ai programs, most everyone says they believe the dice rolls are fixed and the computers are cheating. as for me, I couldn't disagree more. what's your opinion? also, do you have any thoughts on bill robertie's opening moves? his 6-2, 6-3 and 6-4 openings fail for me most of the time. (I'm a decades long amateur, but have always been fascinated by the game).

The backgammon app I play allows doubles on first go and seems 6-6 is best roll you can get. The app seems to allow way too many doubles for random it seems but hard to say.

Sometimes it can't b helped, but I don't like splitting my two back men too early. I don't mind the 65 to the 13 point though. My occasional(like once a month) move of death of 64 is 13/9 13/7.I have seen players move 24/16 on the 53 opener also.

Such a soothing voice, nice video!

If you are still running this channel, could you recommend a program which will run on an Apple Mac. I watched all of your Beginners' videos during the night (Sleepless in Bedford, England ) , and found it very clear. Thank you.

Have watched all the series and have found them a brilliant aid for learning. Well done sir.