Backgammon for complete beginners. Part 6 - Blocking and primes.

Sixth in a series of (hopefully!) easy to follow tutorials on playing backgammon, designed for the absolute beginning player. Please feel free to comment, and ask any questions, and I'll do my best to reply. Thanks for watching :-)

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[piopotatosack]

Hi, if the black side did a 6-1, can I get out by doing a 4-6? :)

[Ensor42]

@piopotatosack Hi. Yes, as red you could move from the back to your 14 point, and this would be the correct move here, although making your 2 point with 8/2 6/2 is also a viable play. I would run from the back here though as I don't want checkers stuck there behind a developing prime for too long.

[zorac91]

I just have a question. For example I roll a 6 and a 4. I can move with a 4 but I can't move with the 6. Do I have to NOT move because I have a move with one die and not with another, or do I make my only move possible and then lose the turn? Thank you =D

[Ensor42]

@zorac91 Hi. If you were in a situation where only one die could be played, then yes, you would have to make the move that was available, and then end your turn. But remember, you have to try and play the higher number if possible, so in your example, even though you can only play the 4, if playing the 4 in a certain way subsequently allows you to also play the 6, then that is what you are forced to do.

[thegoonist]

wait. couldnt they just move 6+5 =11? instead of only 6 to avoid the primes?

[Ensor42]

@thegoonist Hi. No, because the dice numbers count for individual moves.  Even though the total would be 11, a player has to either move the 6 and THEN the 5, or the 5 and THEN the 6. So they couldn't bypass the prime on that roll.

[jaysonw74]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this series.

[vosinddieandere69]

This series is so good! Perfectly paced - a really exciting yet accessible guide. Thank you!

[rfrnet]

Now I understand why each dice are considered separate moves. It's the primes. Thanks, this makes much more sense.

[sightingsunseen]

Bloody brilliant!! Now I can play that backgammon game on my phone. Other videos were confusing. Thanks!!

[narrellmanguba]

the biggest prime is not 6prime the biggest prime is optimus prime

[Ensor42]

@ANDY61999 Hi, No, you wouldn't be able to do that because dice rolls count as individual moves. Even with a roll of double 6, where a player has a total of 4 moves of 6 to play, each is still a separate move of the checker.

[thegoonist]

@Ensor42 oooo i see! thanks man. your vids are the best ive seen on youtube so far =)