Leveling Up with Ben Friesen - Beginner Backgammon Strategy

[@bennemann]

I really, really loved this lesson. I eagerly await the next installment in the hopefully-long-lived Leveling Up series!

[@blunderblots]

Hello! So glad you enjoyed it! I learned a lot from Ben. He's a great guy! Looking forward to doing more as well! Cheers!

[@Catastrophic-hk3mh]

I never liked the look of a orange Crisloid until NOW. That checker combination is sweet

[@michaelmitchell8567]

These videos are great for us Noobs!

[@blunderblots]

Thanks! I sure learned a lot! Glad you enjoyed it too. Cheers! 😃

[@jamieb158]

really really useful, yes please. i didn't understand all the moves, so one to watch again when i have my board out and can replicate it. thanks to both of your for your time and clear explanations...oh and also the explanations of the terms for us beginers

[@blunderblots]

Hello! That’s awesome! I’m glad you’re finding value. I’m learning right along with you! 😃 I’m looking forward to improving upon the explanations as I make more of these. Cheers! 😊

[@jeffkane221]

🎯Nice breakdown of the reasons by Ben.🎯 If he did not chose these "benchmark" positions for the video, you are clearly "leveling up". Congrats.🎯🎯

[@blunderblots]

Thanks Jeff! I did indeed choose them. These were a few of the more interesting ones that were helpful to me, but I thought could also be helpful to other newer players like myself. Thanks for stopping by and cheers! 😁

[@et000]

Thank you 👍

[@eddieballgame]

Another excellent video, Jason. The quality (per usual) & instruction value rates very high ; thank you, as always.

[@blunderblots]

Thanks so much, Eddie! Cheers! 😃

[@AlexEshaghianBackgammon]

Great video as always Jason. I'd love to do a video with you.

[@blunderblots]

Hey Alex! Thanks so much! I enjoy your content as well! 😁 That would be awesome! My email is under the about tab on my channel. Feel free to reach out to me there. Cheers! 😀

[@chasserehwinkel]

This was great! Ben is also awesome at stuff like this. Love your channel!

[@blunderblots]

Thanks so much! Ben’s great! Very good at explaining things for sure! Cheers! 😃

[@BeerAndBG]

Killer! What a great learning experience. Thanks for sharing with everyone Jason! Love the back game tactical move with the ace in position 5 that Ben mentions.

[@blunderblots]

Thanks Jason! Yeah, that one was probably the hardest one for me. Counting all the numbers is a challenge for me, haha. Cheers my friend! 😀

[@BeerAndBG]

@@blunderblotsme too dude

[@modfather1964]

Ben's a clever bloke... great vid.

[@blunderblots]

Great guy! 😃

[@jjmckenna]

I love the concept here! Great job and Ben is a great tutor. 🙌🏼💫🎲🎲

[@blunderblots]

Hey Justin! Thanks so much! He really is. For a 7 point match to last over two hours, then you know he took the time to work through positions with me, haha. Great way to learn for sure! Cheers! 😁

[@backyammonyams]

Been eagerly awaiting this one and it didn't disappoint! Not only does Ben bring a wealth of knowledge to the game, but another roll with some stank on it (see 4:23). What a swooper. Respect. Gotta work on my signature move.

[@backyammonyams]

Between the legs? Legal?

[@blunderblots]

It sure was fun to make and I learned a lot during and while editing it! Good times for sure. Yeah, Ben has a signature roll for sure, haha. Rolling between the legs would definitely eat up the clock long term haha! Or maybe it wouldn't... I can see it now! 😂

[@rustbeltpipes]

This is GOLD!! Love the format - quick enough to not drag, slow enough to be informative. Great production value as always, and just REALLY great! Awesome job 🎉

[@blunderblots]

Thanks so much! That’s what I was going for with the length. Usually I fall off in videos once they hit the 20 minute mark, so that was my aim. Cheers! 😃

[@SBG92]

Excellent content. I hope this channel grows to the size it deserves.

[@blunderblots]

Thank you for the kind words! Cheers! 😊

[@billspruce8368]

Get Marc Olsen ! I am enjoying your channel... I am new myself... hope to see you at one of the upcoming DC tournaments.

[@blunderblots]

I'd love to do a video with Marc at some point! His beginner backgammon book is the first one I read. 😀 Thank you and welcome! It sure is a fun game, isn't it? I'm planning to be at Cherry Blossom in the spring, so please reach out and say hello. Cheers! 😁

[@GrantHoffman123456]

This is a great video and good on Ben for giving you this advice. In position 1 where it was advised not to double, it is a double and a pass

[@blunderblots]

Thanks Grant! Right you are. We looked at that one after the fact too. I’ve debated working XG into these learn and explain type videos which would definitely add clarity for some but I think it would also add confusion for others. Still debating what I want to do for future videos, haha. Either way, it’s very educational to work through positions with someone who is clearly better than me. Cheers! 😃

[@jessdanielsen8454]

Great content Jason, your channel promotes the game in the best way. Regarding pos. 1: You look at checkers in the zone, which is a good idea, but that mostly applies to blitz positions. Instead count the number of rolls that pick up the blot on the 15 point. 26 hitting numbers + 44 and 66. More than enough to double, and it´s actually a big pass because your opponent looses alot of gammons.

[@blunderblots]

Thank you Jess! My gut told me that was a double and to hear why is very important. Thank you and cheers! 😁

[@RJP29]

I really enjoy your videos, keep up the good work!!!

[@blunderblots]

Thanks so much and cheers! 😁

[@yawn8974]

loving your content BB, keep it up!

[@blunderblots]

Thank you! Cheers! 😃

[@samfraulino]

I added the ZMF-II clock to our game play, love it Great video. Using time in the game changes how you play with strategy as well

[@blunderblots]

Thank you! That's the clock I have as well. I need to use it more, as I'm terrible with time management, haha. But you're right, it changes the strategy a bit. Fun times! Cheers!

[@samfraulino]

yeah, for me it was a way to feel the game had some limits. So my wife and I play matches to 11 and have a 22 min clock, with a 5 sec delay. Works out great ! Also I have the hops travel board from Crisloid coming any day for me too! I ordered that 2 weeks ago ! @@blunderblots

[@blunderblots]

@@samfraulinoDefinitely! Oh wow, I’d be panicking with 5 second delay haha. The Viking Classic was 15 for the division I played. I still ran the clock down. I should play with a faster delay so I can stay calm under the time constraints. 😅 Awesome! That’s a beautiful board. Is it your first Crisloid? We love ours!

[@rpharrison2007]

Really great stuff!

[@blunderblots]

Thanks so much! Cheers! 😁

[@jibarra9383]

Awesome vid Jason!

[@blunderblots]

Thanks Jesús! Cheers! 😁

[@alanimranali]

Loving the content!

[@blunderblots]

Thank you! Cheers! 😃

[@jimphilidor9031]

Great video! I could definitely benefit from direct feedback like this. I've been meaning to ask if you've learned pip counting yet? It's one skill that helped me advance beyond the intermediate level. It's useful in doubling decisions and for example deciding whether you should run from the anchor or stay back.

[@blunderblots]

Thanks Jim! Yes! Having someone who's better to discuss and get feedback on positions is SO valuable. I wish I was able to get this kind of feedback more often, haha. I typically use colorless counting to get the difference when I need to, although I'm very slow at it. If I'm on the clock, I tend to go with my gut, which can get me into trouble, but I'm just to slow at the count currently, haha. Definitely something I need to practice. I recently picked up Art Benjamins Mental Math book, so I'm hoping that will help me speed up. Cheers! 😀

[@BackgammonNoord-brabant]

Cool videos loved it

[@blunderblots]

Thanks Sebastiaan! Cheers! 😁

[@EricPetersen2922]

Good stuff💪💪

[@blunderblots]

Thanks Eric! I hope you're doing well! 😁

[@bennemann]

For Position 6, it is not very clear why doing the crossovers is actually important. The only reason I can think of is that: if you do the crossovers and if you roll 6-6, the crossovered checkers will be ready to reach the home board and you can potentially start bearing off 1 turn earlier than you otherwise would, which could mean the difference between losing 1 point or 2 points. Otherwise, using those same pips from the double 3s on your farthest checkers would be just as good as any. My idea with the 6-6 seems like a stretch, so please advise.

[@blunderblots]

You've got it right! Bearing off one turn sooner and saving the gammon was the focus there with efficient crossovers. Like Ben said, that particular position was very nuanced, but the lesson there is definitely using your role to crossover into each quadrant as efficiently as possible. That's how I took it at least Does that help? If not, I'll see if I can get Ben to chime in! :)

[@allo5668]

I think I prefer this style of video where you pause to discuss interesting positions. I think I have 2 constructive suggestions- 1. You should show a fast forward of the checkers moving between the positions so we can get a sense of the flow of the game and 2. I know you mention the score at the start of the position, but you should add a graphic over everything before you show the position to orient us

[@blunderblots]

Awesome, glad to hear it! I appreciate the feedback and I will play around with the fast forward style in the next one and see what I can come up with. For the second suggestion, I just want to make sure I'm understanding you right. Do you mean something like (7 point match. Ben = 2, Jason = 1) Something like that? Thanks again for the input! 😃

[@allo5668]

@@blunderblots for the second I mean exactly that. It could say 6-away 5-away, the point is just to have a huge wipe effect on the screen to demarcate the passage of time. What I’m doing is looking for the score immediately anyway, you should just show it to me. Consider it like a basketball highlight where they say “ok, now in the 3rd quarter, Luca has the ball…”

[@blunderblots]

@@allo5668 That makes perfect sense! Thanks for taking the time to give feedback. I'll definitely work something like this into the next one. Cheers! 😀

[@neilwaldock6272]

You don't need to save a backgammon in position 6 as the cube is turned and Ben is 3-away. Just play to save the gammon. In Position 7, Ben is not duplicating your 1's, he's reducing your duplication not increasing it. Duplication of 1's is not why 13/6 is best. Love the format though.

[@blunderblots]

Hey Neil! Good point on the backgammon! See, it's the little things like that that I'm working on thinking of, haha. There are so many things to think about! 😅I'm very excited about continuing to grow though. Can you explain a little more on the duplication? I may have misunderstood the concept on that one a little bit. The format was a lot of fun, so I'm glad you enjoyed it! I'd love to do more, as they're very educational. 😁

[@neilwaldock6272]

@@blunderblots Duplication is about reducing your opponent's good numbers. Eg, if on their next roll your opponent already has a good 3 to play (maybe they can cover a blot on their 5 point 8/5), it may be advantageous for you to leave a blot 3 away from one of their men. Often early in a game you may have a 6 to play from the back ... do you play 24/18 or 22/16. If you opponent already has a good 6 to play it may be best to leave the blot on the 18. Your opponent next time could hit 13/7* or play the good six they already have. This is duplicating their good numbers. Sorry, this isn't a very clear explanation. There are other ways that duplication works. I know you have Michy's books, he talks about duplication in them. People often talk about "duping your opponent's 3's" (or 1's, 2's, etc). It means they have multiple good 3's to play. Duplication isn't always a primary consideration, it's usually secondary, so don't look for it at the exclusion of other concepts. Good things like hitting and pointing usually outweigh duplication. In my experience, diversification is much more important, which is where you maximise your good numbers my making more of your numbers next roll play well. I think Dan Rovira (BG is beautiful) has a video or 2 about duplication. He's better than me at explaining it.

[@blunderblots]

@@neilwaldock6272 No, this is very helpful! I had the idea, it just wasn't fully cemented in my mind or when it should be prioritized or not. I appreciate you taking the time to fill in the gaps for me! 😄Great point on Dan and Michy. Dan's cleared a few things up for me since I started playing. Visuals are always a huge help. Thanks again, Neil! Glad to have you here. Cheers! 😁