Videos

Gus Hansen: How to Play Backgammon

from PlayWSOB.com

Comment by Rochelle Hasson, USBGF Online Media Manager

This mesmerizing, fast-paced, three minute video is a must-see for a beginning player, and a refreshing re-vitalizer for seasoned players. Whatever your skill level, watching the video will leave you wanting to set up your board right away!

The video was created by the World Series of Backgammon (WSOB), featuring Danish poker Giant, Gus Hansen as commentator. Before becoming a professional poker player in 1997, Mr. Hansen also distinguished himself as a world class backgammon player. The WSOB was started in 2006 by tv producer and backgammon player Andy Bell. Today, WSOB is a major televised tour in the backgammon world, covering live tournaments in Europe, and televising them throughout the world on ESPN International.

The video starts off with a visual description of board setup, and explains the game objective. Gus advises: “To win in backgammon you must run faster and fight harder than your opponent” going on to warn, “Beware of leaving too many checkers unprotected; they WILL be attacked.”

Gus continues with basic play leading up to the comment, “Pressure your opponent with the doubling cube; just like in poker, raising the stakes is a powerful weapon. Use it. If a player thinks he has a solid edge, he should double. You now have the choice to refuse and lose one point, or take and play on for double the stakes. Should the game turn around, you can redouble and put your opponent in the hot seat. Pass or take…do or die…Mice or men…” Timely, poignant advice!

In the last segment of the video, Gus offers a final bit of advice: “It’s not enough to learn the rules. You have to spend some time in front of the board…while you may learn a thing or two from a backgammon book, there is no substitute for the ultimate learning tool: playing the game yourself.” And he is so right!

Watch the video, find yourself an opponent at one of the many in-person and online venues listed on the US Backgammon Federation website, roll some dice and join the US Backgammon Federation — enjoy yourself and be at the top of your game!

Phil Simborg: The Three-Point Match

Two video seminars discussing basic cube strategy, take points, and gammon values in a three-point match.

Seminar 1 is temporarily unavailable.

Seminar 2

(1:24:58)

Backgammon Beginners Video Series

1. Introduction and the Board

2. The Rest of the Kit

3. Basic Moves

4. The Opening Roll

5. Rolling Doubles

6. Blocking and Primes

7. Hitting and Re-entering

8. Dancing

9. Bearoff Basics

10. Playing Through a Bearoff

11. Gammons and Backgammons

12. The Pip Count

13. The Doubling Cube

14. The Doubling Window

15. The Crawford Rule

16. Software Recommendations