Backgammon for complete beginners. Part 6 - Blocking and primes.

Sixth in a series of (hopefully!) easy to follow tutorials on playing backgammon, designed for the absolute beginning player. Please feel free to comment, and ask any questions, and I'll do my best to reply. Thanks for watching :-)

[@WolfWojtyla]

These videos are excellent. As a beginner, (and a teacher) I commend you for your skill in explaining the game step-by-step with such clarity. Much appreciated.

[@salaymeh]

I have owned a beautiful backgammon board that I bought from Damascus for over 10 years. Finally decided to learn how to play, and your videos are all excellent! Thanks for taking the time to make them

[@Ensor42]

Thanks for taking the time to comment :) , it really is appreciated. I know what you mean about the board. Some of the boards made in that region are truly sublime.

[@crushagrape]

I'm refreshing my memory after many, many years since I last played and these videos are ideal -- thank you for posting them!

[@kenrobinson3725]

Thank you so much for replying. I’m a beginner but am already seeing this game grabs you and won’t let you go. Thanks for the lessons. Ken

[@rivercoa]

Really brilliant videos, such clear and concise instructions which enables me a complete novice to study and digest the play and rules of backgammon.Thank you so much for your valuable time it really is appreciated.

[@genxjason]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this series.

[@Itsindy_]

You're such a good teacher thank you! I used to play this with my deceased fiance and I forgot how to play. he would always help me. You're awesome :)

[@zzemen]

Thank you so much for making these tutorials. I find them really helpful. I never unterstood this weird game, but now slowly I'm starting to get the idea :)

[@charlottebarker8454]

so helpful I'm trying to learn backgammon but I found difficult until I saw your videos thanks!!!

[@sadhanareddy5935]

hai..im from india people here dont know about this game.I found this game in one of my notification in d facebook.i try to play without knowing anything juz started it trying to learn fm youtube, your vedios are very very helpful it was easy to understand for anyone.Thanks for uploading the vedios. :)

[@bittersweetknots]

Thank you so much for your videos. They are so helpful as it's been years since I've played and I needed a refresher course!

[@robertclark4929]

Very nice tutorial. Found a nice set at a thrift store I want to learn to play.

[@meretenilsen1528]

Fantastic tutorials! I love them and make me really understand the game :) Thanks a lot!

[@Ensor42]

Thank you very much :) It's really pleasing to know that they've helped.

[@tchoate14]

Exactly. I'm 27, but these past two weeks I have really gotten I to backgammon. This series is a treasure.

[@C103-e7s]

These tutorials are so helpful😀

[@Ensor42]

@thegoonist Hi. No, because the dice numbers count for individual moves. Even though the total would be 11, a player has to either move the 6 and THEN the 5, or the 5 and THEN the 6. So they couldn't bypass the prime on that roll.

[@LadyChillianne]

Great video! Thanks for your help!

[@thegoonist]

@Ensor42 oooo i see! thanks man. your vids are the best ive seen on youtube so far =)

[@piopotatosack]

Hi, if the black side did a 6-1, can I get out by doing a 4-6? :)

[@justinamogro1190]

Hi, a point can be consider block with only 1 checker?? video #6

[@thegoonist]

wait. couldnt they just move 6+5 =11? instead of only 6 to avoid the primes?

[@DemonzDay]

what happens if you land on an opponents space where they only have 1 checker?

[@kenrobinson3725]

Would you suggest red 13 to 2

[@Ensor42]

@jaysonw74 I can't tell you how much I appreciate that you appreciate this series ;-)

[@vasantutd]

you mentioned that, "if you have to choose between the moves, you have to pick a higher number" my question is, when do we get to choose between the two moved? Isn't it like we have to make move if its possible? Lets say I get 5-6, even though I can moved one checker 5 points ahead and another checker for 6 points ahead, can i just choose to move only one checker by 6 points ahead?

[@taiahking1226]

Is the way you've set up the game the way it is always set?

[@Supermario0727]

Could you combine both dice to produce a single move? For example if you roll a 5 and a 3, could you move a single piece 8 spaces? Or do you have to move individually?

[@Ensor42]

Dice rolls count for individual moves. Now it could be 2 moves for the same checker, to use your example, one move of 3 and another of 5, totalling 8 spaces, but the position would have to allow for the two separate moves to be played, not just one big move of 8.

[@stuartrobinson2983]

Please help I am trying to learn the great game of backgammon, but am struggling some of the rules. The rule where you have to roll your dice in the right hand side of the board, does that mean that both you and your opponent roll the dice in the same side of the board, or that you roll in your right hand side, and your opponent rolls in their right hand side of the board i.e your left hand side. Also, I have watched a video on You Tube in which the person giving the tutorial says that in order to make a new point, the numbers showing on the dice have to be separated by at least two numbers, i.e, 1-3, 1-4,1-5,16, 2-4,2-5,2-6, 3-5,3-6, before you can make a new point, so according to that rule, if say you roll a 3-4, you cannot move Stones to make a new point, is that correct?

[@MrNioMoon]

If you block your opponent with a 6 prime, can't you try to get a double 6 to add it up to 12? I read a tutorial somewhere stating you can add it up. But from *your* tutorial, you stated you have to play each number *one* time, not consecutively. Which one is it?

[@Ensor42]

@zorac91 Hi. If you were in a situation where only one die could be played, then yes, you would have to make the move that was available, and then end your turn. But remember, you have to try and play the higher number if possible, so in your example, even though you can only play the 4, if playing the 4 in a certain way subsequently allows you to also play the 6, then that is what you are forced to do.

[@JackA117]

Quick question, if for example I roll a 6 and a 1, but I can't make the 6 unless I move with the 1 first on one particular piece. Am I FORCED to make the 1 on that piece so that I can play the 6 or I can play the 1 on another piece and therefore being unable to play the 6 anymore and ending my turn?

[@Ensor42]

Hi, if playing the 1 in a specific way were the only way you could play the 6, then yes, that would be a forced move. You MUST play the highest number move if it is at all possible.

[@stuartrobinson2983]

Great videos. One question, I am not sure about one aspect of the game, and that is if I roll the dice and get say a 3 and 6 but only one number can be used, I read that I MUST use the higher number, but if that number cannot be used, could I use the lower number or do I forfeit my go by not using the higher number?

[@Ensor42]

@piopotatosack Hi. Yes, as red you could move from the back to your 14 point, and this would be the correct move here, although making your 2 point with 8/2 6/2 is also a viable play. I would run from the back here though as I don't want checkers stuck there behind a developing prime for too long.

[@Ensor42]

@ANDY61999 Hi, No, you wouldn't be able to do that because dice rolls count as individual moves. Even with a roll of double 6, where a player has a total of 4 moves of 6 to play, each is still a separate move of the checker.

[@annegettys1369]

I played from 8 until mid twenties.... everyday...I am older now and Never thought it complicated...but I am re learning... if I rolled double four can I move those 16 or must I only move in fours?

[@rkestes1955]

I wish he had answered, but it does appear that moves of "four" are in order.

[@greeneking77]

7:09 a six prime I am going to call "Optimus Prime" because its optimal. That or "Primus Maximus"

[@523101997]

can this game end with both players not being able to move?

[@TheChristianPerspective_]

No

[@amandapfeifer1784]

very helpful!

[@kenrobinson3725]

You said going from red 13 to 7 and 13 to 8 is not ideal. That’s the only sensible play I see. Can you show me a better one. Thanks. Ken

[@Ensor42]

By "not ideal"' I was simply meaning that he (red) would have preferred to have made a better play had circumstances permitted. With the position faced, those were examples of the best choice left to him.

[@narrellmanguba]

the biggest prime is not 6prime the biggest prime is optimus prime