Backgammon: How to Play and Win ♟️

🌏 Get Threat Protection today at NordVPN.com/ro... It’s risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee! ✌
The game of backgammon is easy, especially when you make up all the names along the way. Let's cover the rules of the game, how to win, and doubles. CJ Johnson imparts his wisdom from the sidelines.
⸺ guest ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺
Tiny Anvil Leather
 tinyanvilleath...
See more CJ
 www.cjjohnson.com
⸺ additional info ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺
GNU Backgammon can be downloaded at
 www.gnu.org/so...
Thumbnail used a 3D model "Backgammon" (skfb.ly/6zGsY) by tridiart and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons...)
⸺ affiliate ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺
Need a new computer? Consider supporting the show by getting one from Doghouse Systems.
doghousesystem...
Use promo code “ROGUE” and get a free 500gb SSD now!
⸺ crew ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺
Brian Brushwood - host
  / shwood
Jason Murphy - host
 jasonsmurphy.com - / captainmurphy
Brandt Hughes - senior editor / voiceover host
 cohost.org/brandt - / emergentbeacon
Bryce Castillo - camera operator
  / brycas
Jeff McLaughlin - camera operator
  / wordbarfer
Annaliese Martin - live audio engineer / copy editor
  / amuseliese
CJ Johnson - guest
 tinyanvilleath...
⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺
Scam Nation: / scamschool
Patreon: / modernrogue
Discord (patron reward): / discord
MR Articles: themodernrogue...
Outtakes & BTS: / scamstuff
Subreddit: modernrogue.re...
Merch: scamstuff.com
Twitter: / modernrogueshow
Instagram: / modernrogueshow
TikTok: / modernrogue

[@NutSAK955]

You know we're getting old when Brian and Jason start playing backgammon

[@groove9899]

And they make it look fun😂 board games and card games always seemed boring to me...but now its my favorite way to get my social fix

[@TylerHellums]

Okay, shakespeare...😂

[@tuna5618]

Finally, a modern rogue video with practical, life-saving advice....right on time as well, I needed to learn backgammon specifically right now.

[@ZachWalz]

I can’t even count the amount of times that I’ve needed to play backgammon for my very life.

[@biosaber585]

Backgammon for your soul in a deal with the devil, watching modern rogue to learn to play it

[@tytactical156]

Are you in a saw trap?

[@pmc1727]

Trying to win 5 bucks from my grandpa. This is super helpful!

[@AllBallN0Brain]

@@pmc1727IM ALSO TRYING TO WIN FIVE BUCKS FROM YOUR GRANDPA!

[@mikkeljuelgregersen]

The amount of effort that went into this video is insane! So cool to follow along with the graphics and explanations, and statistics. I cannot fathom how long this must have taken, but it shows, and works! Also @ 32:56 - Brian: "It's anyone's game!", favor to win: "I don't think so, buddy."

[@Unkraut]

"I have a slight advantage" The advantage in question:

[@Denkar11]

I learned to play backgammon in Turkey while in the Navy. Bought a game in the Exchange, and it was the exact one Brian has. When I got out of the Navy and went home, in 76, I started going to a bar that had multiple backgammon tables and we'd play for drinks. That escalated. The doubling cube can run a $2 bet game up to $128 pretty darned quick. Also, a good grasp of the odds of rolling certain numbers can help a lot! p.s. Still have that game...just checked!

[@CodeEnthusiast78912]

turkey is the home for backgammon addiction. you're welcome xd

[@TheScarvig]

the overlay was really great and i want to extend my greatest salutations to the editor for making it and the commentary

[@cmpoliver3499]

I'm 70 and just found your Channel... Huge thanks. Not only you two playing my favorite game but on an exact copy on my board that I bought in 1978! Great channel hope to find more gems

[@ModernRogue]

Welcome aboard!

[@axilleas]

As a Greek (and I am sure that's the same for my fellow Balcaners, for Turks and for Arabs) this video was truly entertaining!!!

[@Nobodyfromnowhere42]

I wonder if Arabs or Balcaneers Turks etc play the 3 games we do and or /if they have other they play . i would love to learn more games to play

[@axilleas]

@@Nobodyfromnowhere42 They probably have the same basic 3, among many lesser known ones, the same way we have vatrachakia, assodio, etc.

[@SomeOrdinaryJanitor]

hmmm.... i wonder how we can tell you're greek...( i actually like the way greek writing looks)

[@cmbaz1140]

Evet

[@Thron2111]

As a Greek too, now I know what you mean. CJ isn’t even that good.

[@micahphilson]

32:57 "It may not look like it, but now it's anyone's game! *_Favor to win: 99%_*

[@douglasboyle6544]

Where were you guys 18 years ago when I really needed this? Not only did I absolutely learn to play but I picked up the basic key strategies and had a blast. You need to do more videos like this!

[@professional.commentator]

23:16 I was scared for a second and thought you guys were about to let an illegal move like that go unnoticed. I'm so glad you guys owned up to it. 👍

[@Fuzzycap]

Last time I was this early youtube had a different icon!!!!!

[@humanoid251]

I have one of those multi game boards (chess, checkers, backgammon) and I never knew how to play backgammon and the written instructions were always so hard to understand but now with this I can slowly start figuring out how to play!

[@anewbetterme9277]

It's easy. And fun with a little trash talking. 💯

[@katkall2]

now we all just have to find that 1 other person in the state that actually wants to play it.

[@YeiPi18]

Coaching was so good even the high camera was nodding in agreement

[@HoboMeow]

Whoever did the voice and explanation at the beginning did a great job!

[@ModernRogue]

That’s Brandt Hughes! He’s been the mastermind behind how Modern Rogue looks and sounds. @EmergentBeacon is his new project with even more amazing explainers and videos 👀 -bc

[@eefeeman]

I didn’t think I would like the “busy” screen with the odds to win and beat move features, but the more I watched that compared to what they were playing, really added to the video. Nice job guys!

[@Cavebat11]

Honestly these videos when y'all just play a game are some of my favourites

[@nephicus339]

I still want a Modern Rogue D&D game; even if it's just a one-shot.

[@Cavebat11]

@@nephicus339 Fun fact Jason runs a D&D campaign on a separate channel called The Strangerous. It doesn't have Brian but it does have him, Annaliese, and Grant Davis. It also has two people who I don't believe have been on the modern rogue. I highly recommend checking it out. It's been a ton of fun to watch

[@will0ughby]

Had some criticism of the channel lately, but you all are putting out a good amount content again. Keep it up guys!

[@bradlybellant3975]

My grandma has played this game faithfully every day for as long as i can remember this game is going to have a special place in my heart one day.

[@micahphilson]

Ah, we always played that when bearing off, you have to roll the exact number to move it in, no overflow. I like it better that way, makes the endgame more tense.

[@VWbosh]

Love backgammon. Been playing it for over 30 years with friends. Good tutorial on playing but they've missed a lot of the strategy. Its a common tactic to block pins in your opponents home to cause them trouble with getting home. You can also set up a block on every one of your home pins, then take a piece - your opponent then has to sit back and watch you play as they cant move until you free up a position for them. And then we get into the doubling dice, scoring and betting :D Edit: also if you clear your pieces while your opponent still has pieces outside their home then you get a "back gammon". It's worth bragging rights even if you're not keeping scores :)

[@SammyTheBEAST]

Loved the "it may not look like it, but it's anyone's game" while the favor to win is at 99% LOL

[@professional.commentator]

This video was a lot of fun to watch. I only learned to play backgammon this year from one of those backgammon game apps. It seems like the hardest part of the game is learning the rules. 😅

[@bkofford]

Always love it when Brandt shows up.

[@miguelroa808]

Honestly I did not really understand this game at the beginning, however after watching you play it I feel like I'm prepared to challenge anyone, looks really fun

[@viral-089]

This CJ Johnson series of episodes was fantastic. Bring him on more please. Idk if it was him or what, but this content was so fabulous

[@thrownsofaraway9978]

I am truly ashamed with the amount of people talking about how poorly CJ helped Jason. People are commenting as if he is supposed to play *for Jason or as if he is a GM/computer. He played the game and knows the rules. He wasn't there to be a resident expert, just to play along and help Jason understand the rules. I don't understand the hate seeing a leather worker/illusionist not be a perfect backgammon player. Great video and the overlays were fantastic. I would love to see CJ in more episodes and maybe you can learn some more board/card games.

[@MrAqr2598]

Yeah, statistics and wisdom via experience are two very different languages.

[@ded5351]

My late grandfather taught me how to play as a kid, but I've forgotten it by now. Was nice to relearn, maybe I'll pick it up again. Good vid, guys.

[@JPBTheLegend]

I haven’t played backgammon since college. It was fun to see.

[@rgilroy1909]

years of playing this with my father, god rest his soul. Best memories EVER!!!

[@nephicus339]

I got a flood of memories of my grand parents' cottage when I was itty bitty. Backgammon was pretty popular amongst the fam back in the 90's Canadian cottage life. Table Shuffleboard, too!

[@connor1586]

Brian and Jason finally got old and started playing Backgammon

[@DragonDeadite]

I play Backgammon all the time! Love the game. I have my dad's old case from the 70s and just played this last weekend.

[@nymalous3428]

I like that Jason and Brian both coach each other, even though they are opponents, so that they both make the best possible moves (within their limited knowledge). Also, they allow take backs (I've never played, but I have played competitive chess, and some players are very touchy about the "you touched it, you have to move it" rule). I just might play some backgammon soon.

[@jimphilidor9031]

In backgammon you're allowed to move the pieces around until you have taken your dice off the board.

[@000Krim]

Finally, I have been waiting this for like 15 years

[@MrAqr2598]

I had loved this game. I once had a kit, but have broken off the carry handle and lost the brown die and cup. Definitely would like to get into it again.

[@skhjs9246]

Great timing! Grandpa started teaching my nephew how to play and he wants to challenge Auntie!

[@lowgpu1687]

Lol I always saw this under my chess board, I wondered how to play and what it is even called, but luckily you guys posted this!

[@wasnt.here.3853]

I've been wanting to learn backgammon for no reason for like the last week then this shows up; perfect timing

[@JoeKunsch]

I have actually always wanted to learn this game, and what better way than two choochs teaching me! finally!!

[@ReignOfPraine]

Was surprised to see the computer analysis on the screen no one at the table could get even close to its suggestions. Still good to see Brian learn this game. I really liked scam school as a kid.

[@H3iMda11_G0d]

OMG I had that same kit when I was around that age too!!!! My grandparents had it. I wish I knew where it went.

[@overlord4663]

Well gentlemen, you successfully got me into Backgammon, and I'm having a ton of fun with it. Keep playing tabletop games!

[@CourtneyVarner]

My family had a nice backgammon set but no one knew how to play. I kept buying backgammon sets hoping they would have instructions. I ended up with like 5. I eventually gave up. Thank you Modern Rogues.

[@professional.commentator]

I remember my parents bought me a set when I was a kid. But even with the instructions that it came with. None of it made any sense.

[@8stringmonkey]

CJ is probably thinking how to make his own board. I love backgammon

[@angryavocadoassassin8691]

we need to learn how to play mahjong! especially if its with so-han!!!

[@michaellafferty6364]

We need more Modern Rogue videos that are overlaid with statistics for the purposes of mathematically quantifying the exact extent to which the guest is talking out of their ass.

[@ModernRogue]

That's a pretty good way to ensure no guest wants to join us.

[@WH.3.SH.Ms.]

@@ModernRogue bro 100% you had some dice man lol why u do him like that

[@guthax30]

@@ModernRogue YT is full to the brim with wonderful business advice!

[@BigSchlebowski]

This is a great avenue for the rogue to go down, play shogi, go, carrom, just these old ass board games that have entertained for thousands of years, very much in line with the gentlemen aspect of the rogue lol

[@Itried77]

I love this video because it got me into a new obsession, but after putting about a hundred hours in I now realize how iffy the play was lol.

[@teamcybr8375]

In the 4th grade, we played backgammon for a couple weeks as part of our unit on probability! Everyone got good at the calculations because knowing where your opponent is most and least likely to land means you're more likely to win! Never leave a singleton 7 spaces from an enemy piece!

[@kasimfarhat6532]

This game is massive amongst the older generation in Lebanon. I finally get a chance to be my grandfather now

[@Just_Sara]

It's the circle of life.

[@n.henzler50]

And now I know everything I need to get started. And whenever a piece gets captured, I will shout "Klarthnaar," as backgammon etiquette demands.

[@Semystic]

I had a game for the Nintendo ds when I was a kid called Clubhouse Games where there was a mode where you had to complete certain "missions" while winning a certain game. There was one mission for backgammon that required you to win while your opponent still had pieces on your home board. Not only did I suck at backgammon, but I had no idea how to complete that mission. I got game for emulator on 3ds today and started practicing.

[@USBGF64]

Thank you for promoting this wonderful game!

[@alwaysfallingshort]

Backgammon is my all time favorite game.

[@GirishManjunathMusic]

I remember learning how to play backgammon with my mum using this board game collection for Windows XP.

[@tylergray1597]

Hey guys. I've literally watched every video of yours. It got me through a very difficult time in my life. I had to check, it randomly unsubbed me, and now I'm not getting notifications for your page. I guarantee I'm not alone, if your viewership is going down.

[@chickenpoxfordinner]

Great editing as always!

[@JohnFleshman]

I have owned that exact same looking case. have not played in over a decade. no one else I know wants to play it anymore

[@aiocafea]

32:58 'it really is anyone's game' overlay: 99.34% favor to win for brian brushwood

[@G.Berk.A]

in turkey its called “tavla“ and you can see every 50+ and 40+ playing the game there is a tradition if you lose the first game of a day drinks on you and you have to hold the board under your armpit as a symbol of defeat so it was fun watching

[@DemLep]

So someone else might point this out, but if you assume the same rolls. Brains miss count could have made a difference. Though different choices might have been made, if not, there is a point where Brian would have a single checker and Jason would have been able to send it to "space jail". They were just learning and mistakes happen, just figure I'd point that out.

[@adrianchavez4199]

"If you're an idiot!!" - CJ talking Jason out of an optimal move lol

[@samueldrunkard6129]

i love how Brian says its anyone s game when he has a 99.34% favor to win 32:54

[@grilin18.]

My uncle plays Backgammon for money and this video is timed perfectly as there is a major backgammon tournament in Ohio next month

[@ConnorSinclairCavin]

I prefer playing without the “beginner’s mercy” rule of allowing overflow, having to roll the Exact values to bank a tile can Really make things interesting

[@guthax30]

Perfect blend of casual and hardcore board gaming here…anyone can enjoy backgammon.

[@TheAmazingWolfie]

Hearing them strategize their moves and still seeing “very bad” appear on screen is funny

[@theyoungfool.1895]

Do Go next! The samurai game of strategy, I think that would be awesome! Japanese rogue unit and nerd rogues unit! We gotta see this!

[@MrAqr2598]

I think chess and _shogi_ comes first. _Go_ is quite advanced even for the average person, let alone the rogues out there.

[@earendilthemariner5546]

Never played backgammon (even though my family always had a set) but i used to play mancala which is a similarly ancient game

[@MrAqr2598]

1:25~6:06 Basics to Backgammon 14:40~14:54 Rolling Doubles 23:30~23:51 Brian Miscounts His Moves 23:51~25:12 Advertisement Break 28:10~29:05 Bearing Off

[@bbell4208]

I miss you guys, been a while.. I love this... Cribbage Next??

[@K0MBIAN]

This video is basically CJ playing a game of Backgammon against himself...

[@TsarFrancisDrake]

Fun fact, at least in Monopoly, there's a rule that f*ck ups are legal. If someone makes a mistake, and nobody catches it at the time the mistake was made, it is retroactively considered legal, and play continues as normal. This is to prevent people from pointing out any mistakes that may or may not have been made multiple turns ago and forcing play to revert to a more favorable position.

[@suburban4614]

huge backgammon fan w video

[@gazellenova6804]

Please do “Go: how to play and how to win” next 🙃

[@jamesbrock7908]

Ah, now that is a game I know something about

[@MrAqr2598]

I think chess and _shogi_ should come first... _Go_ has all kinds of advanced moves that even the average person can't understand.

[@icepee9252]

Did you know that a Backgammon set was found on the Mary Rose (sunk Henry VIII warship)? And that BackGammon has its roots back to one the earliest recorded board games: The Royal Game of Ur (a remarkably similar race game dated 2600 BC).

[@Just_Sara]

I love playing Ur! And I can tell you, chase games all have a similar vibe, and are a lot of fun to play with people you don't mind showing your competitive side to. You can often help new people understand the point of the game by saying "it's kind of like Parcheesi" and they get it instantly. :)

[@professional.commentator]

​@@Just_Sara Yea that's how I learned to play the game. I was like, "oh so this is basically Ludo/Parcheesi but just a little more sophisticated."

[@ryanwilson_canada]

Backgammon and cricket are two things that have been explained to me by people who know it well, and i still dont quite understand. Lol

[@NoHandleToSpeakOf]

GNU backgammon is so cool it lets you tilt the dice luck. There is nothing better than setting up strong CPU opponent with bad luck and try beating it.

[@BearWolf925]

Wooo. Always wanted to know how to play this

[@naolmstead]

I think that is the exact same backgammon kit that I learned to play on as a teenager playing against my dad.

[@johndon9964]

i would have enjoyed a explanation for the moves in the top right but i figure it out like half way through

[@pdoggo64]

Playing backgammon like this roughly equates to playing checkers...fun, but relatively simple....playing with a doubling cube transforms the game into a high tension strategy game that is much more complex... generally it involves gambling, but regardless it's much more engaging I think ..I recommend it!

[@Carsisir]

My parents had the exact same Backgammon set

[@just_goose]

This inspired My Friend and I to do a weekly game XD

[@jimdoe8770]

Can you do a video on chess?

[@MrAqr2598]

14:25~ 14:34~ It's like: *"I KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL!!!!!!!!* *I'M SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!* *WHAT IS IT?!!!* *HOW AM I SPECIAL?!!!"* 32:40~ 32:47~ Mumbler's Law placed: One must mumble when bearing off overflow.

[@JayAlastor]

Brian is a magician.. his dice or loaded XD

[@MrAqr2598]

Oh yeah, even I suspected the die to be rigged, like entangle every particle in the die such that you get doubles.

[@Fuzzycap]

Last time I was this early youtube had a different icon and channel was called scam school!!!!!

[@justinfrasure3494]

All I can think of with the "space jail" moves, is "Pretty Sneaky, Sis"

[@alexh1355]

90s college dorm vibes w this game

[@jeffmaesar]

What about how to play the Royal Game or Ur ? as it s really close to Backgammon.

[@jeffmaesar]

royal game of ur, cant even type well....

[@8stringmonkey]

Love that game

[@ouzoloves]

Have to disagree with Brian's miscounting as not affecting the game. He would have been leaving a blob on point 2 when Jason rolled a 1 earlier, meaning he would have had more time to get his pieces home. though Brian rolling 4 doubles across the game pretty much made it inevitable.

[@alexhaladay4345]

I recently play this on the nintendo switch as its one of the games that comes with Clubhouse games 51 Something I can never remember though is lets say you rolled a 1 and a 2. the 3 spikes in front of a checker each as 1 opponent checker on it. using just the 1 leads to a capture, using the 2 leads to a capture. Using both for a 3 leads to a capture. easy enough. My question is based on the combining. Since you used both dice to move, do you capture from the 1st dice then capture from the 2nd dice. So lets say you: used 1 (capture spike 1) use 2 (capture spike 3) or use 2 (capture spike 2) use 1 (capture spike 3) or do you only capture on that checkers final resting spot?

[@Gamefreak8112]

I finally understand

[@RiderKick_93]

Is there a big difference between Backgammon and Mancala?

[@thetasworld]

As a greek I approve this message👍

[@ranwolf1240]

My father and one of my cousins would play each other weekly, religiously. They would play for a couple hours at a time.

[@yakirfrankoveig8094]

I love how the thumbnail is an impossible situation to get into while playing

[@RealAgno]

Make a video on growing gourmet mushrooms

[@themartelaar2000]

Greetings from the Netherlands