Undercover Backgammon Grandmaster plays in Istanbul Grand Bazaar (FUN TO WATCH!)

Grandmaster Marc B. Olsen gets challenged in the Istanbul Grand Bazaar, when local shop owner realizes he is one of the best players in the world!
They play the Turkish version of Backgammon, called "Tavla", which has slightly different rules, to the standardized competition Backgammon. A lot of fun unfolds, when the two styles clashes, and the grandmaster tries to beat the highly experienced, Turkish street player.
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[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Get your Galaxy Rating now and start playing for free on www.Backgammongalaxy.com 😎 The biggest backgammon site in the world and the home of the Grandmasters. How good is your Backgammon?

[@darbysabini4248]

If you are ever in Brighton England I will play you for as much money as you like.

[@mrleekuay79]

Not really good, i have no idea about this game, but, i love watching ur content.. so entertainment.. good job😘

[@rhetleonard2968]

Wonderful to see strangers meeting and having a genuinely good time. The mixture of passionate competition with good humor keeps me watching. Thanks for uploading!

[@2eleven48]

Well, I know 'back' and I know 'gammon'. Does that qualify me?

[@2eleven48]

@@darbysabini4248 ...pillock.

[@nikiTricoteuse]

When l was travelling in Europe by train in the 80's, l would put my backgammon board somewhere visible and wait. Someone would always come and play and it never mattered whether we spoke the same language or not. Passed many fun hours that would have been boring otherwise.

[@etthelost]

That's just beautiful! 🙏

[@nikiTricoteuse]

@Maximillian Wylde that's what l love about it. The luck of the dice levels the playing field a lot. It IS also possible to "help" another player, not necessarily by making bad moves but, by not taking advantage of mistakes they might make. Being able to do that makes it a much nicer game to learn too. My beautiful inlaid wooden board is Italian. My treat to myself.

[@manflynil9751]

Great idea, mate. I'll give it a go.

[@Subliminalmessage78]

Sounds like good times.💟

[@Trapper3000]

I don’t know what the hell is going on but that was enjoyable to watch.

[@elliotwilliams7421]

This

[@coultonelliott4312]

Was thinking the same thing. Don’t know the game. Don’t know the language. But still watched tell the end.

[@dannyocean7090]

I'm high as fuck rite now... So, I'm gonna watch idk...

[@MrJshsedgwick]

@@dannyocean7090 well at least you know what's going on

[@eigl91]

I never played or watched this game in my life. It popped up in my timeline and I watched entire game and do not have a glue 😂😂😂 but it was enjoyable

[@leventyalcin]

I can’t believe I found myself in a Tavla video unexpectedly. Was such fun to watch. Interesting fact is we, Turks, barrowed the game from Persians. In fact, we still call numbers on dice in Farsi. You were mentioning Shesh. It is 6. However, in Turkish, it’s actually Alti. Also, Tavla is bland without the banter. No one plays it without making fun of the opponent. Basically, mental war is part of the game. If you play and win against any Turkish person ever, close the board and stick it under their armpit. It is a smybol of saying “I wrote the book of Tavla. Open it back and read it at home”. If you think symbolism there, you open the board in the same way you open a book. Also, this is how usually carry a book ;)

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Thanks Levent for your lovely comment!

[@mikeschneider1624]

profound comment in perfect english .. i like!

[@jimmigem6208]

HAHAHAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣 Levent kardeşim, 95% of tavla is banter. Westerners play like a tradesman for me this is no fun. The only time I could cross the line of respect with my father was playing tavla with him. So true my friend. Respect From Australia Cem Oluklu

[@verdinian5417]

Great comment bro

[@leventyalcin]

@@jimmigem6208 You're lucky if you are able to cross the line though. My father humiliates me every effin single time. "You're slower than the mule we had back in days", "Are you window-shopping or playing tavla?", "Learn and come back another time, boi" (Of course Tavla ends up under my armpit) 🤷‍♂️

[@ismailamucka9904]

Turkish people especially elders and shop owners are very obsessed with this game. Playing in Grand bazaar is also seems very exciting. Fun to watch the video

[@jordanconnor1223]

Play for future earning for 10years is good

[@cihanfatihi]

We call that spectator sitting next to you as "Yancı" can be translated as "Sidekick". He is there to make opponent sick. His mission is suck your energy out of you. Every card game player has a Yancı and most Backgammon players have one either. You played great against them at their home.

[@paulwhite4804]

Nice insight, thanks.

[@eyupatasoy6539]

Ahahaha

[@chinaski2020]

The way I learned was that intimidation, in one way or another, is a big part of the game. Playing fast, picking up your opponent’s dice quickly, trash-talk, indifference to their moves, supreme confidence in your own, talking past your opponent to a friend (yancι, I guess) all adds up to what can be an advantage. Especially against a green foreigner!

[@andylee7862]

Hahaha

[@divins774]

See in the uk pubs your yanci would be made to cry becoming a Nancy ye someone would slap him for taking liberties lol

[@Richard40011]

9:19 - Eight hour discussion over which shot to leave 12:42 - "We are not playing chess my friend"

[@cmac7246]

Mind games!

[@kursad765]

Come on bro, are you Kasparov?

[@MrPINKFL0YD]

You should have the moves memorised. I find people who take more than 15 seconds are playing head games and they will move /change think move . It's to destroy the rhythm of the game.

[@ppjjazz8885]

that yellow teethed fucker was REALLY getting on my nerves, touching the board, getting in Marc's face, leaning in so close so his head was on Marc's shoulder the entire time, loudly arguing with marc and the turk, flailing his arms around, even at one point trying to trick Marc into thinking that he had just lost 4-5. no courtesy at all.

[@wertrocks123]

@@MrPINKFL0YD That's not true, you have multiple options, it's not always clear which move will give you the best equity. Sometimes you need to think about it.

[@korhanozdemir4636]

Haha very interesting to see a grandmaster play against our traditional players. They can be annoying sometimes but I think the energy overall was great!

[@primesspct2]

I loved the noise and energy!

[@InimitaPaul]

Very annoying lol. I used to play in Turkish shops here in London years ago but the atmosphere usually ends up aggressive as they weren’t very good sports when they lost.

[@primesspct2]

@@InimitaPaul" As "they" weren't very good sports when they lost." !!?? I take exception to your terminology. No one likes to lose and there are poor sports everywhere. I have played plenty of people from all over the world, albeit online and have not found any race of persons to be more aggressive or worse losers than any other. I would think these perceived differences were cultural in nature.

[@InimitaPaul]

@@primesspct2 Here’s a packet of tampons, use liberally and call me in a week. Taking exception to terminology ffs. Find a safe space, crawl in and give yourself a hug before the boogie man gets you.

[@6ic6ic6ic]

@@InimitaPaul Save those tampons for yourself. He's entitled to his opinion, ( the correct one by any reasonable deduction of logic), and you proceed to insult and cry over it. Sit down child.

[@kadir.61]

07:06 "adama bak, delikanli adam" something like "look at this guy, he is a man of hounor" nice to see you n istanbul ;)

[@berktolunoglu9259]

Your game is really good but the fact that you could take anything from that bazaar for free is legendary. İ am so happy that street player played against a grandmaster though. İt was fun.

[@Marcolino10DK]

berk tolunoğlu Thank you. My opponent played quite well! A lifetime of Tavla definitely shows. You can see the full analysis video in the next video I posted.

[@frankhuhn7369]

I lived in Turkey two years. I learned to play "Tavla" while living there. I still love to play. I have some friends who own shops in the Grand Bazaar. I am 95% sure that the fella you called "the spectator" who sat close to you and kept touching the pieces is the bother of my dear friend who owns a carpet store. The last I knew his brother was selling Iznik pottery. A special kind that was an expensive reproduction of ancient techniques. My friend's name is Aydin Copur. I think his brother's name is Ercan. The shop you were in looks like the one I bought my Walnut board in. The owner was a friend of Aydin's. That makes me think he knew Ercan and invited him to the match. Amazing the small world we live in. Congrats on the win! If you are ever in central Pennsylvania, drop in for a Turkish Coffee and some Tavla.

[@janhellsund1196]

Everybody in Istanbul seems to have a brother or uncle who owns a carpet store.

[@pooppooper4252]

haha, those guys they will talk for years about the match against the european grandmaster! 😅

[@MrEdwardCollins]

Loved watching this video. Loved seeing the laughter and the smiles on everyone's faces. This video reminds me of a time, while vacationing in Cancún just a couple of years ago, where I met and played another tourist out by the hotel's pool. Each game we played, the man also picked up the dice _immediately_ after I rolled them! I did get him to admit later, it was "logical" to leave them on the board until I finished my move, in case I misread the die and moved differently. I also remember he played differently regarding picking and passing in your own home board. (He said that wasn't allowed.) I enjoyed meeting him and playing several games with him, out by the hotel pool, that afternoon.

[@sdepountis]

In Greece (and I presume in Turkey as well, a match is usually to seven points, but we play two more types of game). The tournament backgammon is what we call "portes" (doors). The other two types are: Plakoto: A game where one piece can trap another piece on the same point. So there's no going back but the trapped piece cannot move unless freed. Fevga: A game where one piece by itself can block a point. There are certain special rules on that though: First of all, opponents start on opposite corners of the board. You MUST put your first piece in the opponents starting point before moving the next. And you cannot fill your starting point entirely with your pieces. It's very tactical and quite difficult to master.

[@ahmttnt]

A little contribution: A match is five points in Turkey.

[@johnyilmaz5009]

This was so fun to watch, the passion and community of Turkish people is beautiful and was definitely on display in this video, I'm glad you go to get a taste of our culture and have this experience

[@frankdiscussion2069]

When I was young in the 70's this game was very popular. Every bar/pub or coffee shop had them for people to play while enjoying a beverage. We played fast but not like this! Haha! Cool video!

[@jmlrugby11]

I know literally nothing about backgammon but this was quite entertaining to watch

[@KyleXLS]

Would love to see more of these types of videos. Aside from the gameplay being phenomenal, I really enjoyed the culture and the language.

[@francoforleo4971]

Great post! This reminds me of a time, years ago. I was playing a game at my restaurant and this Turk walks in professing to be unbeatable. He would play me for a free dinner. I asked what I stood to win if I won. He said that would never happen.... “ in Turkey we learn to play before we can walk!” Needless to say, I beat him. He threw the dice at me and walked out.... 🤣😂🤣😂 pizzaman1 on backgammon galaxy

[@aduusch]

😂 best story I heard!!!

[@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367]

haha bad sport.. i played backgammon alot in the north caucasus, its very popular along with chess.. they play several different versions... showing any emotion when winning or losing was a big faux pas... throwing the dice or insulting you opponent could get you killed.. ... victory was always very somber.. people didnt generally make wagers.. but if you did it must be made true immediatly.. same as in card... id dear say throwing down a dice would be an exceptionally bad idea

[@bretthardin9239]

no idea of backgammon rules couldnt understand a word said and found this extremely interesting

[@shropshireladoutdoors743]

Look how he slowed down after you started beating him he started to have to think he knew you were good

[@mustafakoray6047]

Even though the basics of the "tavla" is similar to backgammon, the main goal is demoralizing the opponent by trash-talking and forcing them to play fast and make mistakes. If you think about a move more than 2 seconds, your opponent will probably say "are we playing chess?". If you roll a 64 and make 2 point in your board, it's commonly called as "sucker point". Hoping to see you in İstanbul in the future Marc. Love your content, big fan.

[@haydar_kir]

Chess and backgammon heaven, Grand Bazaar. Over 3000 shops. Every time I go to İstanbul, I go there. I also got my beautiful Helena Backgammon board there.

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

That is awesome!

[@Traveler012]

Hahaha I don't know why this was in my recommend list I don't even play backamon 😂 but it was enjoyable to watch 😂😂 by the way I love Turkey ❤️ greetings from Sweden

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Haha, glad you enjoyed! KZbin algorithm has a scary way of finding videos that we like! 😅

[@savsav8553]

No idea why this showed up on my feed, but am glad it did. There is a saying in Turkey ‘the defeated pehlivan never tires of wrestling’ 😅

[@jimmigem6208]

The Real Talent In Street Tavla Is Getting the Required Numbers. Called “zar tutmak”. Respect From Australia Cem Oluklu.

[@user-qy8ib4ef1g]

That's so cool i didn't know pepole can do that

[@jimmigem6208]

@@user-qy8ib4ef1g Yeah man. To Ensure a fair game in Tournaments they use Cups. “ZAR TUTMAK” it’s a skill u can’t compete against. Respect Cem Oluklu

[@backgammon7743]

I came to watch this video every night before I go to sleep. I know Turkish. Let's do the English translation. This is a really great video.

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Thanks a lot Feridun!

[@janhellsund1196]

In one of the games the local player called out "shesh" which means 6 in Persian (where backgammon originated about 5,000 years ago). Old-school Turkish players still call out dice rolls in Farsi (Persian), not Turkish, and the numbers are 1-yek, 2-du, 3-se, 4, jar, 5-pench, 6-shesh. I learned this at the Grand Bazaar.

[@ataardaozkan942]

Sayilari farsça soylemek genelde ustalik gostergesidir.belli bir seviyenin ustundekiler bu sekilde soyler.farsca hic bir yerde ogretilmedigi icin cok oynayarak ezberlenir

[@tundras4ever552]

I would hate playing against someone and having ten other people talking and touching the board game as well haha

[@torstenhellmann1803]

How cool is it to share this?? :D You are the most remarkable embassador of backgammon I have seen. THANK YOU, Marc! :)

[@snowballed4]

Well.....Late to the party I know, but I loved Backgammon as a kid and recently was interested in taking it up again. I watched this video and it has reignited my love for the game. I particularly like the the way you handled both the board itself AND the opposition. Very calm, very calculating. I'm back into this game. I love it! Bloody well done (from an Englishman).

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Wauw thanks for the compliment! It's very motivating to hear from people like you, who share such positive experiences :-)

[@snowballed4]

@@BackgammonGalaxy Seriously, I'm back practising. One day I'll play you, willing to learn from the humbling that might happen. Ok, will happen. But you never know....

[@chocksaway100]

Absolutely brilliant video fast and raw more like this please when possible.

[@Yornek1]

Marc Olsen reminds me of Joshua Waitzkin in the Chessmaster series, same calm tone and masterful commentary, love it.

[@pangtsr]

Looks like a very unique and beautiful experience. It’s great that you got to do that.

[@primesspct2]

I have always wanted to travel to the middle east and play! A good friendly game is what I love! Great fun to watch this match , ty so much for posting! What beautiful boards !!

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Thanks! :) Backgammon is played at most coffee shops in Istanbul.

[@onderkaratas3790]

I didnt prefer that. The middle has not enjoyable land. But you can olay gammon on internet with middle east people 😄

[@BantuEducation]

I used to occasionally play casually with these Eastern Mediterranean guys in their cafes on my travels. They expect to win easily and are always amazed that a westerner can play well. But if you play a Greek and beat him at "normal" backgammon - they will insist you play the other two games - they routinely play what they call a "tria" of 3 different games, only one of which is "our" BG. If you decline (because how can you win at a strange game?) they will then say that our BG game is "the woman's game", in other words its the easiest of the 3 games they play - quite a put-down. It's fun to do it once or twice but their local "etiquette" is annoying and, as a foreigner, you are always at a big disadvantage no matter how much better a player you are. Calling the dice numbers, throwing the dice hard, often onto the floor and before opponent has finished his move, playing and picking dice up almost instantly, discussing tactics openly with their friends, and so on. Marc won here but the odds given were very much in favour of the local guy as he would have priced the board at the "tourist price" and Marc would have had to pay twice that.

[@holafriends7125]

I think the most interesting greek Tavli Game is the FEVGA. For me FEVGA needs more strategy than PORTES ( Backgammon ) or PLAKOTO. How ever the three games are amazing! I love them!♥️

[@tiantianzhang5090]

So happy to watch this video. because I just started learning to play this game 2 days before haha. And as a Chinese, we didn't play this often but I already started feeling its fun. 🤗

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Hi Tiantian. Amazing! How do you think we can get more Chinese players to play Backgammon?

[@tiantianzhang5090]

@@BackgammonGalaxy WOW SO happy you replied. Well I played because I was and am in Cyprus and many people here played it. But when I am back into China, I definitely will introduce this to my friends. 🤗

[@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367]

.. poor occupied uyghurs play it very well.. they have a version with an hourglass timer too...

[@trkg7356]

Hahahaha I lost it when the glasses flew onto the board 😂

[@okleydokeye2854]

Like many had no idea about the actual game but loved the mix of human natures on display. The guy sitting next to you would have put a lot of people of off with his antics. Bravo

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Hehe, thank you!

[@keama71]

Wonderful video. I’m from Hawaii and it’s great to see the wonderful people of Istanbul, great stuff.

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Ionut_Tudose]

Your opponent is universal in gestures. Every Balkan country has a old guy like this man. Greetings from Romania!

[@Stephanie-uy6vo]

This is amazing! I bought my backgammon board at that same shop!!

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Haha nice!

[@afc358]

Great video. Did they know at any point that you are a Grandmaster? Istanbul is my favourite city in the world. Greetings from London.

[@campicritter4U]

In Greece the same they roll the dice before I even saw what I rolled 😳😂 & I was counting spaces then & they went bam bam done. Made my head spin! Love this video💜 also you can choose beginning win roll if you want to roll again or keep roll.

[@mrleekuay79]

I miss that place so much, it was one of the most historical market and the oldest market in the world.. i have so much fun watching this.. "Yanci" also known as Sidekick..

[@CrisloidRI]

Great video, Marc. Great to get a glimpse of this awesome backgammon culture.

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks!

[@emanuelvasilesabou9487]

I learned backgammon in Romainia under the same anthem: we are not playing chess here! 😂 I enjoied this game a lot!!!!

[@Bierly1018]

What I beautiful immersion into Turkish culture, I've been playing on a Turkish backgammon app for year's, and Turkish players would always chide me for a playing slower than them. Love that board.

[@backgammon7743]

Practically every Turk knows how to play Tavla (Backgammon), a knowledge seemingly inherent from birth :) Nice video. Greetings to Denmark from Norway Stavanger. Ha en fin dag Marc !

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

True! Haha! Hello Norway!

[@melissasalasblair5273]

🌸 I watched this last year. Soooo good lol Great personalities 🌟

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Glad you like it!

[@melissasalasblair5273]

@@BackgammonGalaxy back (lol) again :-)

[@dukegamsky9866]

So much fun, great video!

[@Marcolino10DK]

Duke Gamsky Thanks Duke! Do you play at BackgammonGalaxy.com as well?

[@dukegamsky9866]

@@Marcolino10DK yes of course, i always point my bg club members there as well. Keep up all the great work, it is very much appreciated worldwide! - Gellings

[@AlCasu1888]

That was a great watch. No idea what was going on but I'm gonna learn

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Check out this tutorial Patrick: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZmmhqWHiKykiqs

[@AlCasu1888]

@@BackgammonGalaxy great thanks a million.

[@TheRealMe333]

You are a humble opponent Marc! Love that about you! Good game!

[@yener1194]

This short video equals life time in Turkey in every aspect :))

[@kayaali7824]

Welcome to Turkey and welcome to backgammon mainland .😄😎

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Thank you :)

[@Mainswitch55]

Nice Video, thank you for sharing this! :-) Teşekkür ederim!

[@trkadirsaltan]

Küçükken gazetede okumuştum böyle bir haberi, dünya tavla şampiyonu kapalıçarşı esnafıyla karşılaşıyordu, kendi tavla setini getirmişti adamı o zaman çok düşünüyor diye suçlamışlardı, ama adamı yenip göndermişlerdi :D çok keyifli video olmuş bu

[@WatchMoreMusic]

Great video! We know you are an awesome player so I was sort of hoping he’d win. He played well, especially for playing so fast!

[@williaml2579]

tks for sharing this Marc, very cool indeed!

[@Arrica101]

I picked up my board from the Grand Bazaar too, such a beautiful board

[@Quadrupliplex]

After 26 years of wondering what Backgammon was, I decided to learn tonight. Not Disappointed.

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Welcome to this beautiful game! Start playing against real humans and get your galaxy rating on Backgammongalaxy.com! And we can also recommend the video series "Beginner's mistakes in backgammon" 2-min videos.

[@Trex100]

Beautiful board. Makes me want to play.

[@memofrf]

Had to pause this because i was laughing so much. Brilliant, passionate people. Cheers

[@manflynil9751]

You guys are more interesting to watch than a bunch of A-list Hollywood actors in a movie.

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

THANK YOU :-D

[@R8V10]

Never knew this was a popular game. Very interesting and enjoyable video!

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@itscrespoyo9878]

I bet you never defeated 1.5 opponents in their back yard. Excellent sportsmanship on your part!

[@blueshells50]

Backgammons roots are in places like this from the middle east through eastern europe spread through empires. Backgammon is of course the most popular rule base of a "tables" game.

[@kimhardy389]

I know nothing about backgammon but is really make me smile so much that you enjoy the game . 🥰

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Thanks Kim! If you wanna learn the game, check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZmmhqWHiKykiqs

[@Antzzz_Manzzz]

I’ve never played backgammon but watching the social interaction is amazing even though I don’t even know what they are saying 😂🤣❤️🙏🏼

[@dennishdm8525]

I don't know the rules to this game, but this might be the greatest video on the internet,

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Haha, thank you!!! If you want to learn the game check out this tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZmmhqWHiKykiqs

[@petercharlesweller8461]

Matt this put a giant smile on my face! thanks

[@Shakatabg]

Normally in my country we play 3 different games followed one after another. Tabla, Gilbara and Tapa. Tapa is the game for the masters

[@sflspotter6638]

When it’s just for fun and laughs and no one’s going to get hurt financially I’m ok with the spectators doing what they do. If I’m in a full fledged big money game no one says a word or else lol. I used to play for many years everyday for 8-12 hours a day then i moved on from that club. And sadly enough haven’t really played much for about 3 years.

[@jacques42]

Why did you move on and what is your new hobby?

[@more_on_nick]

never get enough backgammon lolllllll 1 more!!!!!

[@WobblingHobGoblin]

Wow, its amazing to see how fast you guys were playing! Incredible! THat was great to watch! Cheers from Canada!

[@violetaoralogul380]

The thing with Turkish and Greek people is that the people watching you will always have an opinion and comment 😂

[@nezhmetdinov7154]

it gets funnier to watch when you are a turk :D

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

HAHA, probably true.

[@AgentMidnight]

A really neat and wholesome moment in humanity

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Indeed

[@burakculhaci9882]

great video marc..maybe now some foreign pro players can understand why we have difficulties to ply mg's over here and why general turkish players styles are too rapid even in pro tournements where clocks appear...

[@Marcolino10DK]

It is very understandable :) However, you guys usually play well in speed games! :)

[@lawrencekeeney4317]

Great video!

[@brianwball40]

I wanted to slap that spectators hand so many times. No toucha my pips, eh?

[@justsayin6628]

I have no idea what’s going on! what a cool way of socializing while showing your skills... what a moment

[@kazikmajster5650]

Omg backgammon has a whole community...

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Yes! And you're welcome anytime!

[@hudsontoo1212]

Nice. Never thought I’d watch a video about backgammon, but I’m glad I did! Hard to learn?

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Not really, that's what l love about it. About 30 minutes learning how to play and a lifetime trying to master it. Because of the dice, there's an element of luck, so even if you're playing against someone really skilled you still have enough of a chance to make it a fun match. Heaps of online games where you can learn to play using tutor mode and the computer let's you set your level of difficulty.

[@hudsontoo1212]

@@nikiTricoteuse ok! You know, my parents played (I guess it was a big deal in the 70’s and 80’s) and I’ve maybe played once, but I have an old set and I think I’ll try to learn now. Thanks for the encouragement!!!

[@nikiTricoteuse]

@@hudsontoo1212 You're welcome. I think it's always been big in some countries like Turkey and Greece, and, as you said, it was definitely fashionable in the 70's and 80's in Western countries. I used to play GNUbg but I'm not sure that's still available. The guy who uploaded the video says he's got a free online app. so l think I'm going to try his. Give it a try. I've been playing for 40+ years and still enjoy it as much as l did when l first learned.

[@hudsontoo1212]

@@nikiTricoteuse I will! Thank you!

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZmmhqWHiKykiqs

[@jwicker13]

Great video that was fun watching Turkish people are so friendly

[@technofeeling2462]

Yes in this video

[@mylinuxstruggle5495]

First time I ever saw this game I know zero watched the entire thing great commentary.

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Great to hear :) You should try and play it some point! Easy to get hooked!

[@ssbmgosu4990]

Best tavli players are the Greek grandpas. You can find them anywhere in Greece drinking their coffee and waiting for you to challenge them. But be careful you might lose your house playing against them they play crazy strategies.

[@gamatoutsikos]

Greetings from Greece!

[@laars8015]

You played against the whole country

[@abdulfattah4276]

how good are street players man. wow almost beating a gm

[@shebbaa33]

I love playing backgammon, this was great to watch

[@tomhill4003]

Freaking amazing game! I'm not quite at that level yet, but can't wait!

[@coffeeandbackgammon1087]

Its funny watching the differences between the two cultures as well

[@ceferistul05]

you can find world class players in bars and parks in eastern europe as well

[@katewild2194]

I was a champion player years ago beating a current world champion in a tournament and also winning a lot of money in doing so I played in the world championship in Monte Carlo when I went to Turkey I saw some people from a shop playing and asked if I could play I never told them how good I was they would not play me I think they must of thought it would be a waste of their time.The reason I became so good was because I played with people from Cyprus if you think for more than one second they will not be slow to tell you it's not chess I also learned the moden moves when I went to live in Australia I was told you will lose all your money I won so much money I used to have to point out to people what they should do ie don't take the cube I was worried about getting paid.Now I never play.

[@jacques42]

Thanks for sharing your story. Why did you stop playing?

[@katewild2194]

I stopped playing because I became a pro punter backing horses and going to the courses five days a week. I am at present beating the bookmakers online that is why they have all given me the sack. I have printed all their emails because when you tell people they don't believe you.

[@jacques42]

@@katewild2194 Happy to hear that you found a system that works for you. So, if the bookmakers don't want your business, where do you go to make a bet?

[@katewild2194]

I still have a couple of accounts also I have to get into my car and bet in the betting shops.

[@fizikchy]

We say, in Turkey, for 2 points "Mars" (i do not know why). That's why, you frequently hear the word "Marsilia" referring to 2 points. Supppper funny video!

[@sebastiaankuijs5564]

So cool i have 2 helena boards my self love to play on it with friends who dont know how to play with doubling cube

[@GrumblinDice]

What a great experience! 🎲🎲🎲

[@chase36chase]

very nice! video put a smile on my face while watching

[@chrisdooley6468]

I have absolutely zero idea about what was happening but it was thrilling nonetheless lol. Plus the grand bazaar is a magical place

[@BackgammonGalaxy]

Thanks Chris. It sure is a magical place!