I get my 2 back checkers stuck too often as well :) maybe a new lesson knowing when to run or stay back since usually you will need to split the back guys soiner han later or else you'll be gammoned and lose 2 points
I have been employing if you are winning the race.....race. If not winning the race, focus on priming and hitting. This simple rule helps a lot. It is not a game changer but forces better game play.
Thank you Galaxy team and Marc and merry Christmas. I've read the first two of your good books and studying the third one, however, in my perspective, this way of educating is way more efficient. Just like to let you know.
everyone learns different. Some by seing, some by hearing , some by DOING, and some by teaching others and some by all 4 so its best to cover all bases
I think I became a GM the first year the BMAB federation was created, but I am actually not completely sure. If you ask at what age I reached what is now know to be GM level, I would probably say in my early twenties, and I am 34 now. Best regards, Marc
3:50 You're saying that the checkers on points 7 and 8 are no longer serving either function, but why actually not? You have two builders for possibly extending a prime on point 4, since points 6, 7 and 8 have at least 3 checkers. White is ahead, but I'd think that white would try to win with a gammon by keeping blue's backcheckers stuck near point 1 for as long as possible. Or do you think that white will risk creating connected blots on point 7 and 8 with forced high rolls the next turn, and that you should advance two checkers from point 8 instead, leaving only one blot farther away from blue's backcheckers?
I think a good example of this explanation is the mid point. Always good to keep the midpoint in tact until you have no other choice but to clear. I may be wrong.
The midpoint serves the dual functionality. It is both preventing your opponent from moving freely in the outfield, and it is a safe landing space for your back checkers.
@@BackgammonGalaxy I always have a hard time deciding when to move the checkers form my mid point. Many times I hold that point to long. I just feel like it is critical to have in case one of my checkers gets hit and I have to come back around, its nice to have that mid point. Great videos, keep them coming.
At 77, Watching the matches, the commentary made no sence to me, as I played durung the early 80s. Didnt think I'd be able to absorb all the other stuff. But this morning I decided to learn something. And I did! A lot. That pip count always confused me.
Hey Marc, your vids are very useful. Could you maybe spend some time on dealing with what to do with really horrible rolls though? For example, when you think you're developing nicely and you just roll total rubbish - where you just see your gameplan melt.
You should always have a game plan, regardless of how horrible the roll is :) We are not in control of the dice, all that we are in control of are the moves that we make.
@@BackgammonGalaxy Yes. And how important is the emotional content of your game? Obviously it differs from player to player, but can you think of how to take advantage of this without being a poor sport?
you need to move your checkers so MORE of your rolls become "good rolls". ots not luck its mainly strategy and luck is only 20-25%. YOU need to make the luck. the dice will be what they are
I like the concepts Marc but doesn't a point have a third function? When you no longer need a point for priming or as a stepping stone isn't it a useful reservoir of builders for the points you need in your inner board?
Great question! It can be yes... But I would argue that it's not fundamentally a function of a point, but a function of a builder/attacker, where you don't necessarily need to own a point in order to have a builder, that can also be a lone checker (a blot). However, I think you are quite right.
Hi Marc, what do you estimate how many players playing worldwide (in percent), based on backgammongalaxy's level of play, in the categories Galactic, Super Human, Grand Master, International Master, Expert, Advanced and so on? As an example: if the average error rate is between 5 and 6, you are an expert and you are playing better than xx percent of all players worldwide. Maybe the subject is more complex.
I would like to know more about the rules at BACKGAMMON GALAXY? Can you please explain how this rule is a new ruling system and how it is legal to implement this rule as a new standard of play......this is the response from BACKGAMMON GALAXY when I questioned why when I lose a match I receive the penalty of lowering my ranking score and when I win a match from a higher ranked player I do NOT get rewarded any ranking points: *The Galaxy Rating system (GR), is a new and innovative system of ranking players, and the way it works: To win GR from your opponent, you have to win both the match AND the error rate battle (the two crowns). If you win one, but not the other, it's a GR draw.* Seems like a scam to keep higher ranked players UP and lower ranked players DOWN......
I have to say that THERE ARE SO MANY VARIABLES IN THIS GAME BECAUSE OF THE ROLLS OF THE DICE, what the system is programed that is a correct move may NOT BE depending on the roll of the dice..... THE CORRECT MOVE MAY BE TO LEAVE AN EXPOSED CHECKER but only a FOOL will leave an exposed checker if it can be covered/paired. THE RULES HERE ARE A MATTER OF OPINION and that is exactly what it is....AN OPINION!!!! THERE ARE NO RULES THAT A PLAYER HAS TO FOLLOW EXACT MOVEMENTS ACCORDING TO EACH ROLL OF THE DICE. IT COMES DOWN TO A WIN IS A WIN, AND A LOSS IS A LOSS. ERROR BATTLES is a made up strategy for winners to stay winners and beginners/losers not to advance......kind of what is going on today in politics. HAS BACKGAMMON TURNED INTO A POLITICAL GAME?
you explain things so clearly Marc. your a great teacher and champion of the game !
Glad you think so!
Decided when to prime or run is one of my biggest backgammon weaknesses right now. This video really helped a lot. You’re the best Marc!
I get my 2 back checkers stuck too often as well :) maybe a new lesson knowing when to run or stay back since usually you will need to split the back guys soiner han later or else you'll be gammoned and lose 2 points
I have been employing if you are winning the race.....race. If not winning the race, focus on priming and hitting. This simple rule helps a lot. It is not a game changer but forces better game play.
oh hi Sammy
@@joshuaposthuma3139 When are we playing again?
@@sammywohl5194 maybe this weekend? :o
Great video series I’m a beginner and these videos really helping thank you
Glad to hear that Jim! Keep up the studying :-)
Mr. Olsen, could you do a video explaining tactics and strategy of bearing off?
Thank you for your suggestion! We will try to make a video on this.
yeah thats a good one for sure. easy to lose by 1 or 2 pips if you dont bear off correctly
Lovely, Mark, refreshing clarity!
Many thanks Bob!
Excellent video Marc!
Glad you liked it! Share it with your friends (the ones you don't mind improving their backgammon)
Thank you Galaxy team and Marc and merry Christmas. I've read the first two of your good books and studying the third one, however, in my perspective, this way of educating is way more efficient. Just like to let you know.
everyone learns different. Some by seing, some by hearing , some by DOING, and some by teaching others and some by all 4 so its best to cover all bases
Outstanding - as always
Thanks again! I hope it gave you a new perspective of the fundamentals.
great as always Marc
Merry Christmas! 🎄
Great video! At what age did you become a Grandmaster, Marc?
I think I became a GM the first year the BMAB federation was created, but I am actually not completely sure. If you ask at what age I reached what is now know to be GM level, I would probably say in my early twenties, and I am 34 now. Best regards, Marc
@@BackgammonGalaxy thats insane. congrats
Missed opportunity to ask, "What's the point of a point?" :-D
:-D
Lol... :D
hahah
That’s a pointed question…
3:50 You're saying that the checkers on points 7 and 8 are no longer serving either function, but why actually not? You have two builders for possibly extending a prime on point 4, since points 6, 7 and 8 have at least 3 checkers. White is ahead, but I'd think that white would try to win with a gammon by keeping blue's backcheckers stuck near point 1 for as long as possible. Or do you think that white will risk creating connected blots on point 7 and 8 with forced high rolls the next turn, and that you should advance two checkers from point 8 instead, leaving only one blot farther away from blue's backcheckers?
I think a good example of this explanation is the mid point. Always good to keep the midpoint in tact until you have no other choice but to clear. I may be wrong.
The midpoint serves the dual functionality. It is both preventing your opponent from moving freely in the outfield, and it is a safe landing space for your back checkers.
@@BackgammonGalaxy I always have a hard time deciding when to move the checkers form my mid point. Many times I hold that point to long. I just feel like it is critical to have in case one of my checkers gets hit and I have to come back around, its nice to have that mid point. Great videos, keep them coming.
At 77, Watching the matches, the commentary made no sence to me, as I played durung the early 80s. Didnt think I'd be able to absorb all the other stuff. But this morning I decided to learn something. And I did! A lot. That pip count always confused me.
Hey Marc, your vids are very useful. Could you maybe spend some time on dealing with what to do with really horrible rolls though? For example, when you think you're developing nicely and you just roll total rubbish - where you just see your gameplan melt.
You should always have a game plan, regardless of how horrible the roll is :) We are not in control of the dice, all that we are in control of are the moves that we make.
@@BackgammonGalaxy Yes. And how important is the emotional content of your game? Obviously it differs from player to player, but can you think of how to take advantage of this without being a poor sport?
you need to move your checkers so MORE of your rolls become "good rolls". ots not luck its mainly strategy and luck is only 20-25%. YOU need to make the luck. the dice will be what they are
I like the concepts Marc but doesn't a point have a third function? When you no longer need a point for priming or as a stepping stone isn't it a useful reservoir of builders for the points you need in your inner board?
Great question! It can be yes... But I would argue that it's not fundamentally a function of a point, but a function of a builder/attacker, where you don't necessarily need to own a point in order to have a builder, that can also be a lone checker (a blot). However, I think you are quite right.
@@BackgammonGalaxy - Thanks Marc, a well differentiated answer, I like the distinction you made.
I don't need safe landing spaces, i just roll doubles.
;)
good luck with that strategy :)
Hi Marc, what do you estimate how many players playing worldwide (in percent), based on backgammongalaxy's level of play, in the categories Galactic, Super Human, Grand Master,
International Master, Expert, Advanced and so on?
As an example: if the average error rate is between 5 and 6, you are an expert and you are playing better than xx percent of all players worldwide.
Maybe the subject is more complex.
It is a bit complex, but try to check out the FAQ: backgammongalaxy.com/academy/f-a-q
I would like to know more about the rules at BACKGAMMON GALAXY? Can you please explain how this rule is a new ruling system and how it is legal to implement this rule as a new standard of play......this is the response from BACKGAMMON GALAXY when I questioned why when I lose a match I receive the penalty of lowering my ranking score and when I win a match from a higher ranked player I do NOT get rewarded any ranking points:
*The Galaxy Rating system (GR), is a new and innovative system of ranking players, and the way it works: To win GR from your opponent, you have to win both the match AND the error rate battle (the two crowns). If you win one, but not the other, it's a GR draw.*
Seems like a scam to keep higher ranked players UP and lower ranked players DOWN......
👍
More philosophy the better.
I have to say that THERE ARE SO MANY VARIABLES IN THIS GAME BECAUSE OF THE ROLLS OF THE DICE, what the system is programed that is a correct move may NOT BE depending on the roll of the dice..... THE CORRECT MOVE MAY BE TO LEAVE AN EXPOSED CHECKER but only a FOOL will leave an exposed checker if it can be covered/paired. THE RULES HERE ARE A MATTER OF OPINION and that is exactly what it is....AN OPINION!!!! THERE ARE NO RULES THAT A PLAYER HAS TO FOLLOW EXACT MOVEMENTS ACCORDING TO EACH ROLL OF THE DICE. IT COMES DOWN TO A WIN IS A WIN, AND A LOSS IS A LOSS. ERROR BATTLES is a made up strategy for winners to stay winners and beginners/losers not to advance......kind of what is going on today in politics. HAS BACKGAMMON TURNED INTO A POLITICAL GAME?