How To Play Backgammon Correctly! - A Full Tutorial
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- In this video, we're going to learn how to play Backgammon! If you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to post them in the CZcams comments below, ensuring you abide by our Code of Conduct: watchitplayed.tv/code-of-conduct.
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00:00 Intro
00:36 The Setup
02:01 Gameplay Overview
03:38 Determining first player
03:57 Taking the first turn
04:51 Blocked spaces
06:20 Rolling doubles
06:46 Blocked spaces with one opponent piece
07:40 No legal move to make
07:45 Ending turn
07:57 Pieces on the Bar
09:57 Using dice to make blocked spaces
10:06 Legal vs Illegal Moves
11:58 Bearing Off and Moving Pieces
15:32 Scoring Points
16:10 Doubling Cube
18:58 Dropping the Cube
19:51 Etiquette
21:26 Conclusion - Hry
How have people coped for the last 5000 years without a Watch It Played video😁 Thanks Rodney👍 Haven't played Backgammon for about 7 years but when I next play I will definitely be watching this excellent tutorial to remind me of all the rules.
We couldn't let another year pass :)
No,no,no!
It's the time of millennials.
He's doing a great thing!
My father passed away years ago and left behind very little. One of the keepsakes was a backgammon board very similar to this one. Bringing it out to try and play again I had to look up the rules. So funny how a subscribed channel like yours has this posted just recently. Thank you for all the specific rules. Always love your content, but now a little more.
Sorry for that loss Robby, my father passed away a few years ago as well. I hope playing the game brings back some fond memories.
Same, my father passed away two years ago. I inherited the same board or suitcase as I liked calling it. I learned to play at a very early age, but stopped playing for years and forgot some of the rules.
I remember my aunt and uncle playing this a ton 30 years ago.... This video actually makes me excited to pick up a copy.
I hope you get a chance to play soon!
I’m really enjoying this classics series you’re doing Rodney! Looking forward to more in the future!
I'll be fitting these any time my schedule allows - I really enjoy doing them too!
What other classics were done so far?
@@chazreed1428 Monopoly and Risk so far!
Backgammon was a staple of my gaming as a kid! My grandmother taught me and I liked it so much, she bought me one of those leather suitcase style sets. I used to take it everywhere! I lost track of it in my adult years, but a good friend of me gifted his Mother’s set that is much older than the one I used to have so its a cool conversation piece. But I really wished I held onto my nostalgic set from my grandmother! It would be a cool thing to put in a shadow box in the Game room.
I think your grandmother would be touched to know how fondly you remember her gift :)
@@WatchItPlayed I think so too! She was a big part of my gaming growing up as we played games everytime we got together which was often!
I have been playing backgammon wrong all these years. Did not know about the highest die rule or having to use both dice if possible! Love your tutorials. Thanks!
Hey, very glad this was helpful, I learned a few new rules myself!
Same here !
i love backgammon man, really glad small indie game publishers are getting exposure. hope we get a sequel soon
We can only hope!
I mean we’ve been waiting 5000 years for sequel. It needs to happen already.
OMG! I started playing this game last month and I learned by watching YT videos. Some of the rules mentioned in this video were never mentioned in all the videos I've seen like the 5:50 part, as well as legal moves where the value of the dice matters, esp when bearing off.
I knew it would make my video longer than the other ones out there, but I hoped it would be helpful to be as comprehensive as possible.
I'm so excited to see you cover Backgammon. This is our go to game on rainy nights as it's quick and fairly simple. I picked up some new rules from this but luckily they were circumstantial and don't think it's been an issue before, but now I know! Thanks for the video! Would love to see some older card games covered too, like Gin Rummy, Pinochle, or Cribbage if you haven't already.
Cribbage is a masterpiece
I agree with cribbage. But Senet would be fun too. I prefer it over backgammon
yes to Cribbage!
I do plan to continue covering classic games as my schedule allows!
Have been playing backgammon since I was just a kid. It's one of my all time favourite. Love this tutorial!
Great to see all the love for this classic title!
Yes indeed. We must now give thanks. "Hail to the Greeks".
There are many things that make Rodney's videos stand out. I need to mention his sense of aesthetic and attention to details. I had to watch 4-5 times how he handled the doubling cube at 16:18 and appreciate the fact that he effortlessly show all numbers right side up. It may seem casual for many people, but I appreciate those little details. I'm pretty sure he had to practice it a few times before getting it right.
Thanks for the kind words Eric. You’re right, that took some intentional planning 😀
Excellent tutorial for a classic game. Your set looks identical to the one my parents used to play with on Sunday mornings when I was a kid, right down to the faux-leather cover on the outside and the brown and white stripe around the middle. It really takes me back. Maybe earth tones and wide stripes are due for a comeback, no doubt with avocado-green kitchen appliances not far behind.
Anyway, thanks for the trip down memory lane.
A pleasure to help bring back some memories Robert!
One of the best Backgammon videos I've ever seen. You are very clear, personable and knowledgeable. Great job!
Thanks for the kind words!
Great, that you feature Backgammon! And (of course) this the best instructional CZcams video out there! I only wants to make one addition, that (to me) belongs to the game like all the other rules. It is called the Crawford-Rule and it says, whenever one opponent reaches a score, which is only one point away from the final score, the other opponent may not use the doubling cube for one round. (Because the first one mentioned, has no advantage from a game with a higher value, because he only needs one point to win the match anyway.) For example, it is 3:2 in a match which goes until 5 points. Player A wins 1 point. Now it is 4:2. The next round, player B is not allowed to double. If player B wins the next game with a 3 point backgammon victory, he is able to win the match with 4:5, but for one round not through doubling. After one round, the doubling cube is free again...
While the so-called Jacoby Rule is actually only made for real money games, the Crawford-Rule comes directly into play, when you play a match with more than one point as final score.
Taking the opportunity to mention: Rodney, you're the best!
Yes, I came across some of those rules - felt it might be a bit too much for a video like this, but thanks for sharing!
@@WatchItPlayed Dear Rodney, you are absolutely right, but I could not resist. Because Your Video + Crawford Rule = "And that's everything you need to know to play the next Backgammon tournament at your local Town Hall." All the best and Merry Christmas! Philip
Need one of these for Cribbage!
Several people have mentioned that one! I know it's one that always broke my brain a bit!
I love that you did this video... this is probably the traditional game I get asked about the most. Love it!
Hey Scott, I was really happy to be able to carve out some time to do this - a game I knew, but didn't have all the details down until I made this :) Hope it helps some others as well!
This has been on my shelf of shame for at least 4.5K years. Glad you made this video. Seriously though, I always wondered how this was played.
lol, I'll bet it was VERY dusty :)
As a huge fan of modern board games, backgammon really surprised me with its uniqueness and depth. It's gradually become my favorite game of all time over the last few years since I started playing it regularly. Thanks for spotlighting it, I hope everyone who sees this gives it a shot and plays a 7 point series with the cube!
I recently returned to this game myself, so it was a treat to make this video (and learn a few rules I didn't already know!)
That was seriously the best how to play a game explanation ever. I’d love you to teach the card game Pitch!
Thanks for the kind words Heather, glad you enjoyed!
Excellent video! I absolutely love Backgammon. I'm happy to see it get some love on Watch it Played. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Gareth!
Awesome! One of the first games I was ever taught. Makes me want to go out, get a nice set, and start playing!
I have been on the lookout for a posh set as well!
I inherited my dad's backgammon set and cribbage board. I should break those out again. Thanks for the teach, Rodney!
I hope you get a chance to try them out soon!
Thanks for this. I love the idea of showing us classic games. Cribbage next?
We'll see - I definitely plan to do more as my schedule allows!
Awesome Rodney! It would be a dream for you to have covered a range of abstracts. Lines of Action, TZAAR, Slither…but so thankful for you using your platform this way ❤
I'll be doing as many classics as my schedule allows!
Never played before but have ordered a board and this is by far the best how-to video on youtube, thanks
Very kind of you to say - have a great time playing!
Wow this video made me remember that I used to play this with my mom as a kid. I had totally forgotten this!
I used to play years ago forgot how to set up board and move you tutorial very helpful ☺️
Very glad to know this was useful!
Thank you, I have played on and off over the years but this is the clearest explanation I have encountered, thank you for taking the time to post it!
Very glad to know this was useful - thanks for checking it out.
Thank you for this! You are excellent at explaining! I’ve had a set since 2017 and today I finally had the headspace to learn to play. Watched your video and felt totally confident. And I won :)
Learned AND won? Win-win!
A genuinely excellent video explaining a game I've never been able to understand. However you went through it so well, I now have a grasp of the very basics of the game. There are still a few points I would need to watch again, but on the whole, I'm reasonably happy I could at least have a stab at playing a game of Backgammon now, whereas before, I wouldn't have even dreamt of it, great job!
Thanks for the kind words - glad this was helpful - I hope you get a chance to try playing it soon!
It's so exciting to see you make a video for Backgammon! I didn't know/remember all the rules exceptions on movement! One of my friends in college loved Backgammon and I learned to play correctly (with the doubling cube) from him. It was a lot of fun to play and I keep wanting to play again sometime.
I learned a few of the exceptions I didn't know while doing this as well! Maybe you'll get a chance to break out the board again soon!
@@WatchItPlayed We've actually brought the board out and tried to play a couple times, but our toddlers usually end up playing with the rings (we have the Lord of the Rings version) so we haven't been able to get very far in a game.
@@BoardGameBlitz I remember those days! Our last child just left the house - as they say it goes fast!
This was the best explanation for Backgammon that I’ve watched. We hadn’t played in a while, and I was looking for a video to refresh my understanding of the rules. Thank you; new subscriber.
Very glad you enjoyed - welcome to the channel!
My brother was stationed in Cyprus with the RAF and he taught me how to play when on Leave ❤. Loved it ever since. This is a brilliant tutorial you’ve done here. I play online with people all over the world 🇬🇧
So great to hear how much this game has meant to people and the connections they've made because of it - thanks for sharing!
Super thorough. Resolved all of my questions! and this video was only uploaded three weeks ago! Glad I didn't get my backgammon set any sooner 😁 I don't think another video would have explained it so well.
Very kind of you to say Anji - very glad this was helpful!
This was a genuinely super helpful video, thank you for clearly and concisely laying out the fundamentals!
Very nice to know you enjoyed - thanks!
Holy moly was this a blast of nostalgia. I used to play backgammon at my grandmother's house with my brother a ton and this entire video was just "Oh wow yeah that is how it worked". Haha loved the video as always.
Really nice to hear that this brought back some good memories!
I still have the Backgammon board I played on in college starting in 1978!! I actually got really good and played in tournaments at my college (the game was very popular then). I’m glad you went over the proper use of the dice roll, including the use of the higher die first requirement. I always found it a little frustrating playing with people that did know that. I usually let them do what they wanted, but…. Great video. Makes me want to start playing again. My wife also has her board, and we have a small board for the trailer. Thanks Rodney!!
Working on this video certainly caused us to get the game back to the table here as well - it's been a lot of fun :)
@@WatchItPlayed tons of great memories for sure!!
Thank you so much for making this Backgammon how to play video Rodney as I have been trying to figure out how to play this classic and just couldn't grasp it until today.
Now I have my number one go to Backgammon source. 😁😎
This is so nice to hear :)
FINALLY someone who actually explains it properly and so that I could understand and go pick up a board and start playing
THANK U BUDDY THAT WAS A GREAT WEE CLIP THAT fully explains it properly
I watched 4 clips and they were all basically useless they were not explaining things correctly I will keep this clip saved for my next attempt at playing backgammon
Thank u
Hey u ever think of showing folk how to play other games cause u explain it all so well
Like go ,shogi ,or well any of the harder to learn ancient games I loved this thank u hey mate
Very glad you found this helpful David!
I'm only 7 and a half minutes in and my mind is blown. I grew up with this game at people's homes or just tossed in a closet. It was always like a lost ancient relic with hidden meanings calling to me like a Jumanji drum. Now, for the first time in my life, I know how to play it.
So nice to hear this helped solve a gaming mystery :)
Unironically one of my favorite games of all time. Nice to know I've been playing it properly all along, lol
I picked up a few rules I didn't know while making this!
Sensational!! A game I've yet to learn, but I've always been interested!! Cheers!!
I hope you get a chance to try it soon Taylor!
Great, thorough, well articulated video. Thank you!
Thank you kindly!
Fabulous tutorial. Best i’ve seen for backgammon. Thank you
Very kind of you to say - thank you!
Was definitely not expecting to see this one! Mom was really interested in this video specifically-- 'cuz it's quite the classic! Would love to see more videos like this! - G
There are some edge case things that had to be covered for completeness, but the over-all rules are not too bad :) Maybe you can learn this and see if mom is ready to take you on as a challenger Grant :) And thanks for the kind words - hoping to do more of these as time allows.
You just made me want this game, even tho' I had it and never truly understand it as a kid. Thank you! This is a true gem of a game.
I didn't fully understand the game either until finishing this video, so I'm glad it was helpful for both of us :)
Thanks Rodney for making this video. Backgammon was popular in the late 70s and I remember playing with my parents. It was a nice reminder and I look forward to playing again. I hope that - from time to time - you make more videos like this; however, I was a little disappointed when you didn't throw the case in the air and flip it before putting it back on the shelf 🤣
lol, sorry to disappoint :) And yes, I do plan to do more of these as my schedule allows!
This is by far the best backgammon video I have seen.
Thanks so much Lawrence, glad you enjoyed!
I really like the variant where you get to replace dice with domino tiles, it becomes a 2-player euro!
I was curious about this game, never played it before. Thank you so much for this clear and informative video, so much information that wasn't shared in others.
So nice to know you found this helpful!
This video inspired me to FINALLY play this game. I incorporated it into my big, yearly New Year's Eve game night this year. And it was a BIG hit! Ended up playing for two hours straight (intending this as only a appetizer game) before diving into a bigger game. Fantastic! Do videos of some other old-school games please? Next do Go or dominoes!
So glad to hear what a hit the game was for your New Years Eve :)
Backgammon might be the only classic boardgame that has an expansion. I mean the doubling cube that was added to the game around year 1925. Often it's played to some odd numbered match length, like 5, 7 or 9 points. Playing matches reduces the effect of luck in deciding the winner. For the match play there's one special rule called the Crawford rule. It states that the first time either of the players reaches a score that's one point away from winning the match (for example reaching 6 points in a 7 point match), then the doubling cube is not in use in the next game. The trailing player has to win the next game, called the Crawford game, normally in order to still be back in the game. Gammons and backgammons still count.
Backgammon has been my favorite game for a long time. After getting into modern boardgames I still love games that use dice in some way. Lot of modern gamers say they hate roll & move games but Backgammon is an example that uses the mechanic well and has tons of skill.
Very glad to have been able to feature one of your favorite games!
I love this game! I have a version with magnetic checkers so we can take it with us on picnics or beach... And we do! :)
Very cool :)
The beginning of this video really made me want to watch a video by you going over the history of this boardgame. Just an idea!!!
I've always wanted to learn this. So, thank you for your tutorial!
You're very welcome!
Well done Rodney, that is the best video I have ever seen for a rules explanation. I have played for 45 years and just love the game. I have a beautiful wooden tournament size del negro board that has dark blue and light blue points, my counters are navy and turquoise. I also have my original board very similar to the one you have that I got for my 21st birthday.
I love the look of those tournament style boards - I hope to pick one up some day. And thank you for the kind words, that means a lot coming from a truly experienced Backgammon player. I wanted to do right by Backgammon fans with this video, and hopefully represented your game well!
Excellent presentation,! Haven!t played forever. The game has a lot of strategies. The doubling cube adds to the game.
This was an excellent reminder of the game for me. Haven't played it for ages, but I will check it out again, soon. Tx!
I hope you get a chance to play it again soon!
Huh, I have been playing a couple of dice move rules wrong for decades. Apparently, a couple of house rules were introduced when I was taught how to play as a kid. Thanks for the tutorial. A classic and a favorite.
An easy thing to have happen!
Omg this is the clearest explanation I've seen. Thank you
Very kind of you to say!
You answered all of my questions and were very thorough.
That's great to hear - have fun playing!
My brother and I played backgammon all the time when we were younger, we still play when we can. We had so much fun. He got me a game called Tatsu, that is similar to backgammon for Christmas years ago. They are both great games. Thanks for this!
I haven't heard of that one, I'll have to look it up!
I litterally CRIED!!! love your work so much, rodney…
That's really so nice to hear Paulo
Brilliant, really concisely explained!
Thank you kindly!
Very well described, thank you.
You're very welcome - glad you enjoyed!
Amazing lesson!! Thank you!
Very glad you enjoyed - thanks for the kind comment!
Thanks for such great instructions, very clear and concise!
Very kind of you to say - glad you enjoyed!
Wow! I've never learned how to play but now I can't wait to play!!
I hope you have a great time!
i skipped through this and found it totally cool. I used to play in tournaments (all over the US) and, fyi, last time I checked they had made a rules change: Dice that land on checkers are now considered to be "in play" (ABA) . Keep up the good work!
Interesting to learn that - thanks for sharing!
Finally a classic i can understand . Thanks Rodney !
Very glad it was helpful Eric!
Cool, a game I never understood or really cared to learn to play, but at least now I can understand the general rules of how it plays. Thanks!
You're very welcome!
Played it for money many decades ago. Still love it! 🎲 🎲
Great Video! I can finally dust off my backgammon set and play it with confidence.
Do it!
What a great time to put this out. 😄
I was happy to be able to get some time to cover this one!
This is without a doubt THE best video on how to play this game. I think i finally got the idea, I'll have to watch a few times. (I'm a tad slow😂)
So glad to know this has been helpful!
One of my favorite games of all time. Hard to beat a game of Backgammon. Great video! Might just start playing with the doubling cube!
I was intimidated to at first, but reading up on it for this video took those concerns away!
I was today years old when I finally learned how to play Backgammon. Thanks for the video, Rodney!
A pleasure to be able to share it Chris!
Was very excited to see this pop up in my feed, I’ve been curious for years but never had any others interested enough to learn and play with. Also was not expecting the Snap mechanic from Marvel Snap to have roots in the doubling cube 😂
I enjoyed seeing that Backgammon connection in Snap too :)
Great tutorial. I've always wanted to learn this, now I think I can play!
So glad this was helpful!
Thanks...well explained than many others.
Glad you liked it!
Very well explained. Never played. Reminds me of how I explain math to those who are afraid. Math is not complicated. You just need someone to take the necessary amount of time to explain it well as if they were in your shoes, a beginner. Most cannot. And that's not an indictment, its just that it takes skill. Backgammon is clearly not 'complicated' but it is full enough of simple rules that it can be hard to explain all the spinning plates... but you did this very well. Kudos!
Very kind of you to say Kreig!
"There's also an expansion version that you can play with slices of pepperoni and Oreo cookies - but I'll leave that for you to discover on your own."
I like the sound of this!
this is an excellent tutorial. thank you!
Thank you kindly!
I've unknowingly been playing "old English " rules my whole life, where only 5 checkers are allowed on a single point ... this is earth-shattering
Hey, this will make your next game like a whole new world!
We only play OE now. It makes the games more challenging and much more interesting.
Backgammon is the King of Games (fast and exciting). I've played just about every day for the last 15 years and had lots of fun every time!!
What a fantastic gaming streak to have mantained!
This was a great refresher! Would love to see Mancala in the future.
Glad you enjoyed :)
I really like the idea of a "Watch it played: Classics".
I enjoy being able to do these too!
@@WatchItPlayed You could do some really fun stuff with it; not only board games, but card games too. I have never really understood what's going on with Gin, Spades, or Bridge. I assume they must be fun...
@@CDRaff A card game using a standard deck of cards is what I'm planning next.
@@WatchItPlayed And this is why you are the best. Been watching since 2013(Tokaido was one of my first) when it was just you and the kiddos and have loved watching you grow the channel. Couldn't have happened to a better guy. Keep up the great work and thank you for all the years of amazing content.
Great tutorial👍✌️ Just got my son into playing this and had him watch your video. Now he beats me all the time🙀
Great to hear you've got such a worthy opponent!
Amazing explanation thanks Rodney
Very kind of you to say - glad you liked it!
Very clear n easy to understand!!
Glad you enjoyed!
I learned a few things I had played wrong for decades. :)
Thanks for this, Rodney. :)
Nice to know this was helpful!
Thank you for this tutorial, Rodney! I finally know how to play
When does our first match start? :)
Wonderful instructions, I haven't played in about 40yrs, so I definitely needed a refresher and apparently we weren't taught all the rules...lol😮
So glad it was helpful!
Thank you. Well done!
Thanks!
Thank you!! I finally understand this game 🙌🏾 it’s actually not that difficult once you understand it. Me and my husband are playing right now and it’s already beginning to get competitive 😏
It doesn't take long to get competitive :) Hope you both have a great time playing!
I've been wondering how to play this game for years, and could never find out how. Thank you for this.
You're very welcome - glad this was helpful!
I've been playing for years and never knew how to use the doubling die. Actually, no one I played with knew 😅 we just kept score, a win, or loose. Thanks, this was awesome.
I was the same way - making this video finally got me to learn the rules for it too :)
Very good explanation thank you
My pleasure!
I have always been interested in this game but never played. Now I NEED TO PLAY!
Glad this caught your interest!
Really appreciate the teach on this classic game.
It was a real pleasure!