Beginner Backgammon Tutorial - 9 - Opening Moves

[@Octovisuals]

I never played Backgammon and I thought it was very difficult to understand. I watched a couple of tutorials which everything was so fast and I still didn't understand. Then I watched all nine of yours and I finally do! Very clear and easy. Thank you very much, keep up the good work!

[@jonnyhatter35]

dude, I just finished watching all your tutorials on backgammon. please post more!! they're the best i've found on youtube

[@Carmine_Lupertazzi]

Just finished watching all of your videos. Thank you so much

[@priscillaarinze8645]

You're a beautiful human being, thanks so much for shedding some light on Backgammon for absolute noobs like myself! 😁

[@jonathanrobertson3406]

Thanks for teaching me how to play Backgammon properly. Your teaching method is efficient and I really enjoyed it, so much so that I just ordered my first board from Amazon last night. Now, is all I need is someone to play against! Thanks for an excellent tutorial.

[@towipion]

Thank you thank you thank you, I watched all 9 of these videos and now finally this game makes sense. This game used to be so complicated. Thanks so much.

[@patrickjohn3323]

This is a wonderfully concise and helpful series. Thank you, Bucky!

[@maryskorstad2785]

EXCELLENT!!! Thank you so much for a PERFECT teaching tutorial. It's been years since I played and totally forgot. But how you explained it perfectly I am now back in the game. No pun intended. Thank you

[@spyseahorse4277]

We've had a backgammon game case for decades but I never knew how to play so I guess this is a thank you from the poor old dusty game itself for breathing life back into it. Cheers

[@TeenyPort]

WHAT?? Bucky I normally watch your programming tutorials, this is awesome to find out you do backgammon as well

[@KarolsKreationsDesigns]

I'm learning so much.. my poor hubby doesn't stand a chance now that I got the Bucky rules refresher course.. Thanks Bucky this was awesome!

[@Stillhouse_Armory]

Your tutorial's are so good they should be included in every backgammon game ever made. Seriously you taught me a lot and now I'm confident I can take on the game with my dad. I've subscribed to your video's thanks a bunch. Your videos are tops. Thanks for not making it complicated. Blessings.

[@TheDon444]

Excellently explained. Not played for a good while, just needed a little reminder of exactly what I've been doing for 40 years. You just MAY be able to beat me! 👍

[@mithilasandamini560]

Wow! I just finished watching all your backgammon tutorials. Your teaching ability is wonderful. You made us wanna play the game instead of giving up. The only tutorials that were pretty clear. You know, the other vids I watched, made it look like this game is complicated... Nice job!❤️ Regards from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

[@nabsVision]

Thanks mate!! This dude knows the game inside out and side ways. Of all the videos I watched this one stands out and much easier to understand. Good job. Improvise more!!!!

[@zoetowers9663]

Tutorials are ace by the way. The best on KZbin by far.

[@ianshaw9996]

Have watched all of these. Such clear instruction compared to all of the others. Thank you.

[@user316-i1z]

Best Backgammon tutorial outta here, all other channels are bad, thank you Bucky

[@maslizadavid91]

Thank you for your helpful videos. We have backgammon board for years but never play them. Finally found one understandable tutorial. Keep up your good work👍

[@sharksbean]

The way the light is hitting your table it makes it look like ocean water. Nice tutorial by the way.

[@Sapalicio1]

Thanks a lot, Bucky. Great video. Very helpful. I learned Backgammon 2 days ago. And now I am addicted. At 4:46 of the video you mentioned 2-4, which should be 2-6. Also, you failed to mention what to do with a 3-4 combination.

[@biggawinnacrapsa3870]

Dear Fugsap, next time you go to correct someone, be sure you know what you are talking about, so that you don't come off sounding like an ignorant moron. At 4:46 it should be 4-6, not 2-6 which you claim. Oh, and we can tell when you edit.

[@Lucius1986]

Thank you for tutorial. I was playing many years and losing most of the time. I was getting angry and start blaming the dice and my bad luck. Now I get better and I can beat those who are same level with me and even those who have double level. I started playing again because I am learning a new language wich is boring and playing in the same time is making things easier.

[@haozhesun8106]

Thank you so much for sharing. These 9 videos are great for beginners as me to understand backgammon, they are extremely helpful !

[@mabelandujar9830]

All 9 tutorial are awesome. Great explanation. Thank you

[@l.sanchez4939]

Excellent tutorial with helpful, strategic explanation, thank you!

[@aud_lopezdg]

Thank you for all these videos! I feel confident to play now!

[@markarnold8014]

Your video was extremely helpful. I've employed your techniques and it's vastly improved my game. Thank you so very much.

[@callogan2482]

Ive just watched all your tutorials on Backgammon thanks a lot i was lost before now i know not only the basics but how to play decent for a beginner cheers!

[@jfnkjnfj]

The numbered die is called the doubling die. Essentially what it does is increases the stake of the game. So typically backgammon is played 3 times at 1 point a game-called a match, similar to tennis. What the die does is increase the stakes of the game. So if you're playing a 1 point game you can increase the stakes by presenting your opponent the die. You don't roll it, but rathe give it to them with the number facing up. The opponent then either accepts the doubled stake or forfeits the game

[@rachcliffe3182]

Thanks for all the good memories!

[@LENUS2]

@Timei Its strange nobody answered, let me explain. That is called a Doubling Cube, and is numbered as 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64.. Before a Roll, (never after) Player can issue a doubling cube as a challenge to the opponent, by placing the cube in the middle of the board on the next sequential number. If a player doubles to 2, opponent can either: 1) pass and stop the game right there by giving away 1 point, or 2) take it (and place it in his corner of the board) and perhaps Redouble to 4 later.

[@guanhui1376]

Me: finally I've finished watching all the parts. dad: u ready to play with me?? Me: ummm?? yes!!!

[@robb7028]

Super materia.. I have been playing the game for about 2 years(unfortunately for a few reasons,have not been able to play with several players).I thought I had all the basics but you certainly proved me wrong . I would like if possible to show offensive and defensive moves for both players for second and third rolls of each.

[@ΔημητρηςΦιλος]

It seems that the most useless roll is 41, not 52. And for 51 and 41, slotting to 5 with the ace is certainly less attractive than with the 21 roll. In these two rolls splitting the back checkers (24/23) is slightly superior. For the 43 roll finally, I'd choose 2 down from the midpoint or 24/21 13/9, together with the move you suggest. Useful video. Part of it is updated thanks to the backgammon bots' improvements.

[@9vickiSue9]

Thank you for excellent tutorials!

[@lauralost]

thanks for helping us learn our new covid hobby!

[@osyopans]

Bucky, thanks A LOT for your tutorials. I always wanted to learn how to play backgammon. But I think I have the same question as some other guys: what is the 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64-dice for?

[@wudanway1738]

It's to decide who goes first in a game. You both roll and whoever lands on the higher number goes first

[@StefanMarkBee]

It's to double a good position - so it's doube 2 - redouble 4 reredouble at 8 rereredouble at 16 ans so on - in the beginning the cube is in the middle for everyone to double if he is on roll - the double has to be accepted or the game is lost on 1 point or peanut or 1$ if you play for money - and as every game can go gammon it doubles again, and on backgammon it even trippels ..... :-)

[@manoox1]

Awsome tutorials, I just finished all of themm, thank you so much and I hope 2e can see more strategic videos, big Respect. New subscriber here

[@crooster1]

This guy is living on the hope the opponent has a damaged die with no 4 on it.

[@Evilsork]

2:43 i don't get the point why to do this? Because when he is going to kick nr5, i will loose such a long way, my own kick would just do almost nothing.

[@zoetowers9663]

Can I please ask. You can’t move one piece the full amount if there are opponents pieces in the point prior can you? So if checker on point 6 and roll 6 and 1. Ya can’t move one piece 7?? Does that make sense? Or cAn you do that? Thanks

[@garyz777]

Helpful info for this newbee....thanks!

[@marinzubovic6632]

Amazing job done, well explained, thanks so much

[@justgivemethetruth]

Do you ever play backgammon on FIBS? Any thoughts on that system? The good thing about getting that 8 point with a 2-3 or 5-? is that if or when you get low doubles you can set up a pretty effective defense, especially with 3-3s. Taking that 20 point is really bad if they get 3-3s or 6-1 and can be very difficult to escape from a possible blitz.

[@genfoley]

Great tutorial ! Thanks so much !

[@chrisefc3579]

Many thanks for these vids, really appreciated.

[@leavesofgrass92]

It's called the doubling cube, and it's only used to double the betting stakes. Therefore, it's not generally used when you're playing for fun.

[@drdark9134]

Even when playing for fun you should play to a fixed number of points; say first to 7, this means you get to use the cube and become somewhat familiar with this vital aspect of the game.

[@delords3337]

Can you explain the dice with the numbers on it

[@novaxx8031]

Thanks a lot that was very informative first time player here

[@BallisticPikachu]

i watched all of your tutorials , great videos :)

[@mr.drivekay5465]

Those are Strategies for a beginner. I agree with you.

[@неболаја]

2020, justvwatched full tutorial, tomorow i m trying the game. Ty xD

[@timers519]

Thanks for the tutorial 9. I like your opening moves, and your explanations for them. I consider myself a decent player, and I agree with your choices. My question here is, why do you say the "5 point" the "2nd most important point to won in the game?" I don't disagree, but I would appreciate your rationale. Thanks.

[@monasticbacon1972]

Thank you so much. A wonderful tutorial.

[@anilkumar-ui2sb]

Dude what's that number dice for

[@rdmqwerty]

could you show us a full game maybe? i think it would help us get a feel for playing games in stead of just looking at rules and stratagy

[@deepthirao164]

Great tutorial. Thank you so much 🙏🏻😊

[@solinero]

are there any mone? you should really make a playlist

[@krldrs5592]

you sound a little like David Dobrick! Great video, thanks for the tips xx

[@stevensonfamily3116]

What’s the big die used for in the game?

[@tomy6917]

Hi, the other die is the "doubling cube" numbered as 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 for raising the stakes of the win/loss. It was introduced to the game around the year 1923 to make the game "more exciting". Tournaments use this a lot, but, a lot people play without it (I don't like it LOL). But, say it looks like I am going to win the game against you, I would turn that cube to a 2 and "offer you doubles" - the win/loss at the end of the game would be double the value. If you refuse the cube, the game is immediately over & I get the win. If you take the cube, you now own it - and lets say they game just made a great turn in your favor & you think you're going to win now - you turn the cube to 4 and offer it to me, now, the win/loss value is 4 times at the end of the game. If I say no to your doubling me, the game ends & you win double the value of the win because you owned the cube at 2 when you had accepted my double. There are rules for doubling, too - when you're allowed to double, not to "over double", etc.

What is the "64-die" meant for (the one with powers of 2)? You did not use it through the whole tutorial...

[@kohilavaani9987]

How can I use the doubling cube

[@tomy6917]

So, if you think you're going to win the game, you turn the Doubling Cube to show "2" and offer it to your opponent. If he accepts the "the Cube" the win/loss value of the game is now double. If he declines your "Double" the game is over & you win. If he accepts your "Double" and further into the game it changes & it looks like now he is going to win, he will turn "the Cube" to "4" & offer it back to you. If you accept, now the win/loss stakes are 4 times their value. If you refuse, the game is over and you lose Twice the points because he had accepted "the Cube" when you had "Doubled" him earlier. The "win/loss" value being multiplied by "the Cube" comes into play if you are keeping score. Some play 11 point matches, 5 point matches, 3 point matches, etc (the way tournaments are played) where you win by meeting or exceeding the number of points your match was set for (and not "the best of" 11 or 5 or 3, etc). So, with the "Cube" if your opponent accepted the Cube when you had turned it to "2" and offered "Doubles" & was accepted, if you win: instead of winning 1 point, you get 2 points. If you win with a Gammon that is worth 2 points, you would get 4 points instead, and, if you were to win with a Backgammon, instead of 3 points for that, you would get 6 points. The Doubling Cube has values of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64, but you can go further with 128, 256, 512, etc (usually when playing for money - there's no point in ever "turning the cube" beyond what it takes to win your match). There are also some special rules on how & when the Doubling Cube is allowed to be used (google The Crawford Rule). I prefer playing without the Doubling Cube. :)

[@ibraheemshaqqou7043]

Holy shit did I didn't know e you played backgammon!

[@shauryaseam4597]

Thanks! Very useful!

[@gregmartin968]

excellent tutorials thank you so much

[@rardiehl2302]

How to count points correctly. Thanks

[@juliaaidagottschalk3793]

Good video for beginners. Was hoping to find smtg a bit more advanced.

[@justgivemethetruth]

I dont think it matters that much, and is good if you roll 3-3 or 1-1 to set up a tough defense. There is always grabbing the 10 and 11 points to help with building up defense, and if you get hit back so far there is less damage. i hate rolling 6-3 on the opening.

[@project_nihilist]

Also what happens if you don't get caught cheating? (or do) and what is the other die for?

[@tomy6917]

Hi, the other die is the "doubling cube" numbered as 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 for raising the stake, it was introduced to the game around the year 1923 to make the game "more exciting". Tournaments use this a lot, but, as lot people play without it (I don't like it LOL). But, say it looks like I am going to win the game against you, I would turn that cube to a 2 and "offer you doubles" - the win/loss at the end of the game would be double the value. If you refuse the cube, the game is immediately ended & I get the win. If you take the cube, you now own it - and lets say they game just made a great turn in your favor & you think you're going to win now - you turn the cube to 4 and offer it me, now, the win/loss value is 4 times at the end of the game. If I say no to your doubling me, the game ends & you win double the value of the win because you owned the cube at 2 when you had accepted my double. There are rules for doubling, too - when you're allowed to double, not to "over double", etc.

[@project_nihilist]

@@tomy6917 Thanks for replying. My friend who taught me chess never mentioned this game until i was able to smoke him. Since i made this post and played him a couple times i have a new love for this game. After i had made this post and played my first real games i tried to explain the doubling cube to him. Even in chess he has never studied the game and doesn't understand a draw really. Between two people you are right, the cube doesn't mean much. Again thanks for replying. A couple years ago when he introduced me to chess i was hooked. I went crazy overboard studying the game. There are some guys at the chess club who have been playing for 30+ years and knowing i have only been playing two is a kick to their ego. I tried to explain to my friend about the doubling cube and the points. To be honest to play one game to win doesn't seem that fun to me. Id rather play to a set goal. It doesn't matter though because he has beat me every game we have played. Only in a couple games were we both bearing off at the same time. I am glad i learned how to play the game, i wanted to ever since i was a child and would get the game sets with chess checkers and BG. When I was a kid i heard a story about a guy who was bet a million dollars he wouldn't get fake boobs and keep them for one year. He did not have the money for the surgery and he won a bet against a plastic surgeon in a game of BG. Being older i realized that it really wasn't a bet, but more about paying someone to humiliate them for a year. He would wrap his chest in ace bandages to try and hide them. I would wear fake tits for a year for a million bucks, but i would have to beat the surgeon at chess. lol

[@tomy6917]

@@project_nihilist Hi Joel, we at home play 5 point matches - you have to meet or exceed 5 points to win (not the best of 5). Some matches go to 11 points & some just 3 (whatever you agree on) & that's where the doubling cube comes into play. In a 3 point match, say, you are winning 2 - 0 and your opponent just won a game now making it 2 to 1. After the 1st roll, your opponent would offer you a "double" because if he wins, he will win the 3 point match. if you decline, the score is now 2 - 2. Look up the "Crawford Rule" for using the doubling cube. Some recently new players didn't know there are 3 ways to win: a single, a "Gammon" (worth 2 wins), and a "Backgammon" (worth 3 wins) which is important to know when you are playing "tournament style" (3 point, 5 point, or higher match where you're keeping score). Let me know if you need any clarification on these wins - I had commented about those in a couple of these upload segments, but, don't remember which (LOL).

[@jaycavalli6061]

Great video thanks

[@MasonAndrew]

Thanks dude the instructions for mine were crap. But your really helpfull

[@markarnold8014]

That's a Doubling Cube. You or your opponent can choose to double the bet on the game. If the opposing player refuses, the game ends at the previous stakes with the person who initiated the Double becoming the winner.

[@project_nihilist]

Starting to look like chess. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Kf6 4. 0-0......... Here we don't want to play 13 to 8 if we roll this but we do if we roll that, ans it makes total sense to him, like my Spanish opening in chess or a pentatonic scale in music. It all seems to make total sense to the user

[@sealevelbear]

Great, thanks!

[@mjazzguitar]

Great video. But I don't understand leaving yourself open where you bear off when your opponent can send you all the way back to square one. That number of moves getting him back could lose the game.

[@kingspade350]

hey bucky, you might not see this but do you play chess, and i want to thank you for making these tutorials man.

[@CraigLanceA]

Great intro. But, if you're black, aren't the numbers written on your board backward? Aren't you supposed to count your own point numbers starting from 1 to 12 on the near side and 13 to 24 on the far side?

[@tomy6917]

He has the board numbered correctly for the brown pieces. :)

[@islamdinma2671]

Well done

[@dgze]

Whats so bad obout playing 3-2 as a five?

[@drdark9134]

Because it simply puts another checker on your 8 point, where you already have 3 checkers. Thus playing it this way does nothing to increase your flexibility and point making capability.

[@lukke6189]

i thought if you rolled a lets say 2 and 2 you were supposed to play 2 four times at least that is how i was taught and that is how they play here in georgia

[@PrecociousSloth]

He covered moving four times with a double in a previous video but for your first role, your opening move, you are not allowed to play on doubles so that’s why you just role again 😊 that’s the only time you can’t play on a double role

[@IlanDavid]

you can have doubles on your opening role if the other player starts.

[@munchems]

I David It's not technically their opening roll.

[@biggawinnacrapsa3870]

And you can have a role if you'd like to star in a movie with Chloe Grace Moretz. You can play her gay lover.

[@John2413h]

Good job

[@suconcom2526]

Thank you

[@ashishtomar289]

Watched all videos.. Getting admission in MIT is much easier😂😂

[@montrazvan89]

Backgammon is very popular in my country, we have nicer sets, made out of wood :P

[@ppt_eal433]

@Razvan...Wooden boards are noisy and the dice bounce onto the floor a lot, they are not popular with westerners.

[@betforward7955]

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[@zacharycat]

The 2nd player can open with doubles and has to know how to play them.

[@richard_nj]

There'd be thousands of different scenarios there, not gonna be able to make a tutorial on that

[@ppt_eal433]

@ zacharycat...The tutorial is titled "Opening Moves" which by definition rules out the second players response (OBVIOUSLY).

[@bbraoul3]

Just after that serie of tutorials, I went to see what it looks like in real game ... And I don't understand what they do XD

[@vebosberlyto429]

The game i played when I was a child and not even 0ay attention. As so easy people give tutorials so funny Americans are

[@justgivemethetruth]

so don't just criticize, what do you do with a 5-3 ... grab the 8 and 10 points ?

[@InterDesignOnline]

You told us what not to do with a 2-3 role but you never said what we should do

[@kumarragu7710]

Wow👍👌

[@heyiamkawaiii]

@Timei I was asking the same.

[@ShamGam3]

Do more! :)

[@zacharycat]

On your 4-1 roll white double 4 wipes out your 5 and 9 points and make his own 5 point, too risky for me.

[@rashedabdelhadi504]

I have the same board!!!! And great tutorial

[@justgivemethetruth]

do you mean 22 23 for a 2-1 roll, you cannot get to the 21 and 22 points with just a 2-1. look at the way the board is numbered, there is not "your" 13 point. your comments do not relate at all to the numbers on the his board.

[@Romans8-9]

not the best roll but we'll take it

[@juliaharris4127]

👍

[@johnbayern6519]

32-41-21 are wrong moves all the other moves are absolutely right!

[@johnbayern6519]

and 43 wrong

[@MrGrog90]

john bayern You can't say these openings are wrong. First of all, the best opening moves strongly depend on things like matchscore/Jacoby/Crawford. Secondly most of the choices are really close, so especially beginners are better off playing the moves wich suit their style. Would you make the reverse split with 43?

[@Amstaffmukke]

Bayern sücks

[@biggawinnacrapsa3870]

No, but I'd learn how to spell 'which'.