Backgammon: How to Play and Win ♟️

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
See more CJ

⸺ additional info ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺
GNU Backgammon can be downloaded at

⸺ music ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺
"Neighborhood" by Brandt Hughes
"Enhance 2.47" by futurelovers

⸺ affiliate ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺
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⸺ crew ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺
Brian Brushwood - host
Jason Murphy - host
Brandt Hughes - senior editor / voiceover host
Bryce Castillo - camera operator
Jeff McLaughlin - camera operator
Annaliese Martin - live audio engineer / copy editor
CJ Johnson - guest

⸺ socials ⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺⸺

[TLUS_Soggy]

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

[tuna]

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

[Denkar]

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!

[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."

[micahphilson]

32:57 "It may not look like it, but now it's anyone's game!

*_Favor to win: 99%_*

[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!!!

[TheScarvig]

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

[cmpoliver]

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

[douglasboyle]

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!

[SammyTheBEAST]

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

[humanoid]

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!

[Fuzzycap]

Last time I was this early youtube had a different

[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. 👍

[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!

[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 :)

[willughby]

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

[Cavebat]

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

[bradlybellant]

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.

[MrAqr]

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