There are a few famous poker players who are known for playing backgammon; Gus Hansen for one.
It is a game long associated with gambling though it is often not played for
money.
My father was an officer in the Navy and he told me cards were discouraged on
ship because of their association with gambling. Acey-Deucey, a version of
backgammon, was what the officers played.
My wife and I stopped by a large rummage sale this Summer. It had rained
several times over the afternoon and most of what was out was wet. I had always
been fascinated by backgammon and how people shuffled the checkers around. There
was a nicely cased, wet and the hardware a bit tarnished, backgammon case for
sale. All the pieces were there with spares. I picked it up, and two old boxes
of plastic poker chips, for $2.
But I didn’t know how to play.
This Winter I searched backgammon on YouTube on our Roku. I came across a
most excellent channel if you would like to learn to play yourself: Ensor42. One viewing of his
videos “Backgammon for complete Beginners” and all the rules will be clear.
Watch his “Beyond Beginner” videos and you’ll be ready to hold your own. You
should watch “Beyond Beginner” after every backgammon outing until you have the
basic strategies down pat.
My wife and I have enjoyed several games now, though the dog jumps all over
us, protesting our complete attention on the game and not him.
And if you would like to try your hand at backgammon, but lack an opponent or
have a jealous dog, Milwaukee has a local
backgammon organization that meets weekly. Rounding Third is the place and
they have $2 tacos on Wednesdays, backgammon night. It is located on Bluemound a
bit west of Hawley Road. I actually scored a backgammon against my opponent my
second outing. That is a 3% chance.
Odd Wednesdays are tournament night with a much smaller buy-in than any poker
game you will find. On even Wednesdays, you can practice and learn; and if a
small wager is to your taste you can accomplish both in a multiplayer chouette.
In a chouette (pronounced shoe with a soft sh) one player in ‘the box’ plays all
others. The others advise the ‘captain’ who makes all decisions for the others.
If the ‘man in the box’ loses, the ‘captain’ goes to ‘the box’ and the next in
line becomes the ‘captain’. the man formerly ‘in the box’ goes to the bottom of
the pecking order. Positions are initially determined by the roll of the dice.
This is a great way to learn. In cash games there is no extra points for a
gammon or backgammon unless the doubling cube has been offered and accepted.
When I was young my dad and others would play Sheep’s Head for nickels and
dimes. I imagine the stakes must be quarters these days; maybe losing or winning
a few dollars. You face a similar level of risk with the local backgammon
association events, if you wish to wager.
If you are already a devoted player you must know about Chicago’s Annual
Tournament. The 36th Chicago
Open Backgammon Tournament is this Memorial Day weekend. Only a $30 entry
fee for novice players. I would be tempted to go but that weekend is just so
busy.
The Chicago Bar Point Club
plays backgammon on Tuesdays.
I watch backgammon tournaments on YouTube, but beware. They are all consuming
and very long and two hours could pass before you realize it. Mochy, a Japanese player, is one
of the greatest presences and promoters of the game in the world right now. He
will be speaking at The Chicago Open over the holiday.
It is a very fascinating game of odds and chance. I imagine craps players
would be very good at backgammon and visa-versa. Craps offers your best odds at
the casino though I have yet to grasp all the betting options of the game. I
took my wife to dinner at the casino the other day and the craps tables were
crowded. They were promoting craps excessively on their flat screen promotion
boards.
I think it would be great if they had a backgammon tournament or two at The
Potawatomi. Casino. I also think it would be great if the casino began
poker league play to replace their cash poker tournaments.
But for a simple low cost evening of competitive gaming, backgammon, come and
visit Rounding Third
Wednesday nights. The backgammon starts late when the Brewers are playing at
home Wednesday evenings.
