Pete - I feel very grateful to have a handful of friends who like to play ‘over the board.’ I agree that online play, though essential, just isn’t the same as real play. Hope you can find someone! ✨🎲🎲✨
Wow! Wow! Wow! FM is the best. Enjoy it, big guy, you deserve it! Incredible how the red dice pop out on that purple surface--I would not have thought of that.
Paperweight - FM is making excellent boards, it's true. The purple is certainly a unique and bold color, but you're right that things really 'pop' on that surface! Cheers!
Lisa, you should definitely put some $ away to pick up an FM board! This one is likely much more reasonable than you might think. Plus, it has excellent extras, and will last a lifetime if you treat it right. Thanks for watching, and your comment!
After watching this video I ordered the exact same board. They sent it right away. I must say the board is absolutely fantastic. FM gammon is doing a great job. Thanks for sharing the video !!
Kamil, That is fantastic! I have mine all cleaned up and ready to take to a live club tournament tomorrow. What color surfaces and checkers did you get? Mine currently has the dark Taki wood with the wood grain and yellow points that initially came with my mahogany Talat board. Cheers! 👍🏼🎈🎲🎲
@@jjmckenna Surface is white and dark blue..Also got a spare surface with white and light brown..Checkers are also the dark blue and white..Good luck for the tournament!!
The 2 surfaces with the purple are my favourite colour schemes of all your board reviews. Wouldn't have thought I'd like it but when I see it, it has changed my mind. Great channel.
The Talat is an incredible board, especially with some eye-catching playing surfaces. Curious to know what custom extras you're thinking of; perhaps your name, or a meaningful symbol? Cheers!
@@jjmckenna I developed a dark blue molted background that I’d like them to put some of their cream and some darker points on for one surface. I think it might give depth to the board. I feel like with that board I want 3 surfaces. I’ve considered my initials in a circle with the year I started playing back in the 60s that would look like their logo a bit on a green and black background. Playing with some ideas
Justin - I have to give you credit, your checker play has improved quite a lot since your first few videos. Your opening play on this new FM board is essentially Expert level, with the only slight error bringing Purple down from the mid-point with your 5-4 roll; XG prefers a split, bringing the back checker 24/20 instead of dropping another builder down with your 13/9. Keep up the good work, and keep unboxing more boards! I swear, P-40 should have sent you a board by now, they're really missing out on a golden opportunity for some exposure!
Thanks for keeping me honest, John! I count on you for the analysis of my checker play. As for the P-40, I do get a lot of questions and comments about that board; it really seems to have caught the imagination of backgammon players. Don't know that I'll receive a board from them, but I'd be open to a discussion about how to work something out.
Hi Justin, Scott here. What'd I tell you ... your videos have caught on like wild fire across the globe. What an awesome gift from FM!! Congratulations and Happy Birthday to you Sir! I ordered my Premium Talat last week and received notification today of it shipping :). Gammon-On!
Thanks very much for the kind words and encouragement! You will be so happy with your premium Talat board; it's a gorgeous work of art! Take good care of it.
Hamzawi, It really pops, doesn’t it? I was not expecting something so bold on a backgammon surface, but I love it, along with the purple and white checkers. Thanks for your comment! 🎈
What a surprise! Very nice board in the standard high quality of FM. The colors are extraordinary and vibrant, although it is personally a little bit too much for me. 😊 Overall, a cool, special board, congratulations! And of course happy birthday to you! 🎂
Thanks for your support. I don’t have plans to get an Ayse board, because it is so similar to the BG Earth board. Both are composed of beechwood and have the same bear off slots for checkers, and no handle on the exterior. I think the Ayse looks lovely, though, especially with the ‘wood grain’ Taki inserts and brown checkers. The green tone board is especially gorgeous! Cheers! ✨
Josh - Glad to hear you're enjoying the Earth board! The issue with buying 'another' board, is that it leads to 'another, and another, and another...!'
Their Hera Board is made out of Beech according to their site. Seems like they are discontinuing their MDF boards. Hopefully they will bring out new models with their interchangeable playing surfaces. That was nice of FM Gammon to give you a birthday present like this. I too have been eyeing Artgammon as well. I think that I am going to get a custom board from them instead. I like their tournament size board and their points actually show the tips with 5 checkers on the points. Also love their vintage circle tipped points. Has that vintage Crisloid look with the points nearly touching at the center with circle tips.
Chris, You are correct that FM is discontinuing manufactured wood boards, concentrating on solid woods (beechwood, mahogany). I believe most of their new boards will incorporate the changeable playing surfaces; they are really nice, and I love basically having two different boards (or more) with different checker possibilities, at my fingertips. That's fun. I've been trying to work something out with Ufuk of ArtGammon and his US distributor, but they have not followed up with me on acquiring a board. Maybe one day they'll get in touch, as they know I'm interested. If you get an ArtGammon board, I'm sure you will enjoy it very much. I like the look of their boards. Enjoy, and have fun!
Justin - I got interested in the 2nd move with 2-2 after a 1-3 first move (8:11) as a learning exercise for myself. You moved 6/4(2) and 13/11(2). I wondered if 24/22(2) was better than off the mid point. It turns out that according to xg it was. What got me curious was what if your 1st roll was a 6/1 and you covered the 7 point with 13/7 and 8/7 then what would xg say then about 2-2. It turns out the 24/22(2) is not preferable but the 13/11(2) is better. It might be nerdy of me but I thought that distinction of have the 5 pt anchor vs the 7 pt anchor is not so minor as it relates to a 2nd 2-2 roll. Interesting stuff. Thanks for your videos.
Jay - Very interesting points (literally and figuratively)! I ran the moves through XG myself and it's interesting that the difference between the moves you specify is minimal (my XG readout shows a -0.002 delta at XG++). My 'error' was not running a black back checker out with my 5-4 second roll (24/15 over 13/8, 13/9). Maybe next time I'll be perfect! Thanks for 'nerding out' with me, and for your continued support! Cheers!
@@jjmckenna yes small and not trying to be critical at all. (I don’t think you took it that way) It triggered my curiosity. After 40 years of playing I’m really enjoying nerding-out deeper into the strategy and strangely having fun trying to understand the hidden logic. I also know I learn it better when I share with others. Thanks for playing along. If you ever get down to the Oakland area let me know and we can play a few rounds. Cheers.
@@creativeillumination Jay, no offense taken at all. I recalled an error in my play, and thought it might be the move you described, but it was the ‘next’ move. All in the interest of learning. I didn’t realize you live pretty close to me here in the Sacramento area. Hope to play a round or two sometime! 🎲🎲✨
Very interesting color, perfect for a Minnesota Vikings fan! It's not really to my taste, but to each their own. Interesting that you thought this board was made from manufactured wood, but later found it that it's beechwood. Does that change your opinion of the overall quality of the board?
Dr. Fly, yeah, it's funny how I initially said this would be a good board for a Ravens fan; I don't know why I didn't think of Minnesota first! I'm a bit conflicted about this board, honestly. I initially thought it was MDF, because it appears to be made exactly like the Hamdi board I purchased from FM, down to the smallest details. Unlike my Talat and Mete boards, this one has sharp corners, which I don't prefer, when compared to the rounded edges of the Talat and Mete boards, which simply feel of a higher quality overall. However, this is a beautiful, substantial board, with leather exterior, so I shouldn't have any issues with it, right? I just don't find myself playing on it as much. I also tend to prefer natural wood tones, while this board is painted black.
I think this would be a perfect board for someone that supports a team that has white, purple and/or black in their colors. The Baltimore Ravens come to mind. Cheers! 🎲🎲
Happy Birthday Justin. Nice surprise. I wish I had someone local to play with to warrant an FM board. Online is just not the same.
Pete - I feel very grateful to have a handful of friends who like to play ‘over the board.’
I agree that online play, though essential, just isn’t the same as real play. Hope you can find someone! ✨🎲🎲✨
Wow amazing Board! What a beautiful Birthday present! Happy Birthday Justin! 😊👍
Thank you, Patrick! I very fine gift indeed! ✨🎲🎲✨🎈
Yay a new video!!
Hope your well
Thx so much for making a video
Best,
Eric 😀
Thank you, Eric! I hope you are also well!
Wow! Wow! Wow! FM is the best. Enjoy it, big guy, you deserve it! Incredible how the red dice pop out on that purple surface--I would not have thought of that.
Paperweight - FM is making excellent boards, it's true. The purple is certainly a unique and bold color, but you're right that things really 'pop' on that surface! Cheers!
Nice board. If this in their Hamdi board with the magfit fields I may pick one up.
That’s essentially the reasonable conclusion. Same dimensions as the Hambi, but with the changeable surfaces.
A truly lovely set. Happy birthday, pal.
Thank you for the well wishes! 🎈
Excellent gift!!. I love the sound of the checkers when thwy hit the walls of wood. Congratulations Justin!!
Héctor, A very special gift, isn’t it?
I’m super impressed with FMGammon, and this surprise gift just makes me like them even more! Cheers!
@@jjmckenna It is not for less with a tremendous gift hehe, to enjoy it with family and friends. Cheers!
Nothing sounds better than a wood board
@@EricPetersen2922 That is correct.
Makes me think of purple rain. Beautiful
It’s a very striking color scheme for backgammon! Cheers! 💜🤍
Very cool board. I want to get an FM board someday. Like the interchangeable surfaces - nice feature.
Lisa, you should definitely put some $ away to pick up an FM board! This one is likely much more reasonable than you might think. Plus, it has excellent extras, and will last a lifetime if you treat it right. Thanks for watching, and your comment!
After watching this video I ordered the exact same board. They sent it right away. I must say the board is absolutely fantastic. FM gammon is doing a great job. Thanks for sharing the video !!
Kamil, That is fantastic! I have mine all cleaned up and ready to take to a live club tournament tomorrow.
What color surfaces and checkers did you get? Mine currently has the dark Taki wood with the wood grain and yellow points that initially came with my mahogany Talat board.
Cheers! 👍🏼🎈🎲🎲
@@jjmckenna Surface is white and dark blue..Also got a spare surface with white and light brown..Checkers are also the dark blue and white..Good luck for the tournament!!
@@KamilKaraali Sounds really nice, cheers! 💙🎲🎲✨
That's a gorgeous set 👍 Congrats and happy birthday Justin 🎂
Thanks very much! A unique birthday gift for sure! 🎂🎲🎲✨
The 2 surfaces with the purple are my favourite colour schemes of all your board reviews. Wouldn't have thought I'd like it but when I see it, it has changed my mind. Great channel.
Jebby - They are definitely very striking! Would be a perfect gift for a Minnesota Vikings fan!
Cheers! 🌟
Love your videos. Another great one, thanks Justin and Happy Birthday! I’ve got my eye on a Talat and some custom extras.
The Talat is an incredible board, especially with some eye-catching playing surfaces. Curious to know what custom extras you're thinking of; perhaps your name, or a meaningful symbol? Cheers!
@@jjmckenna I developed a dark blue molted background that I’d like them to put some of their cream and some darker points on for one surface. I think it might give depth to the board. I feel like with that board I want 3 surfaces. I’ve considered my initials in a circle with the year I started playing back in the 60s that would look like their logo a bit on a green and black background. Playing with some ideas
Another great video! 👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks so much! 🎈🖍✌🏼✨
Justin - I have to give you credit, your checker play has improved quite a lot since your first few videos. Your opening play on this new FM board is essentially Expert level, with the only slight error bringing Purple down from the mid-point with your 5-4 roll; XG prefers a split, bringing the back checker 24/20 instead of dropping another builder down with your 13/9.
Keep up the good work, and keep unboxing more boards! I swear, P-40 should have sent you a board by now, they're really missing out on a golden opportunity for some exposure!
Thanks for keeping me honest, John! I count on you for the analysis of my checker play.
As for the P-40, I do get a lot of questions and comments about that board; it really seems to have caught the imagination of backgammon players. Don't know that I'll receive a board from them, but I'd be open to a discussion about how to work something out.
This is absolutely beautiful. The purple white and black go so well together.. you're very lucky this is a beautiful gift
Thank you, I agree it was a lovely gift. 🎂🎲🎲🎁🎊
Happy Bday🎂🎂
Hi Justin, Scott here. What'd I tell you ... your videos have caught on like wild fire across the globe. What an awesome gift from FM!! Congratulations and Happy Birthday to you Sir! I ordered my Premium Talat last week and received notification today of it shipping :). Gammon-On!
Thanks very much for the kind words and encouragement! You will be so happy with your premium Talat board; it's a gorgeous work of art! Take good care of it.
Congrats on the board. It looks great. I just got an FM board last week based on your videos.
I’m really glad to hear that, and I’m sure you will love whatever board you purchased. Kudos on a good choice! 🎲🎲✨✌🏼
This magenta looks magical
Hamzawi, It really pops, doesn’t it? I was not expecting something so bold on a backgammon surface, but I love it, along with the purple and white checkers.
Thanks for your comment! 🎈
@@jjmckenna It's very eye catching indeed. Very different than the Middle Eastern style boards I grew up on. Can't wait for the next board review ❤️
An other interesting review. Greetings from France.
Thank you, Laurent! Hope you're able to play 'over the board' with friends, if you do play in France!
What a surprise! Very nice board in the standard high quality of FM. The colors are extraordinary and vibrant, although it is personally a little bit too much for me. 😊 Overall, a cool, special board, congratulations! And of course happy birthday to you! 🎂
Thank you, Péter! The colors are bold, but will make many people very happy, I predict. I especially love the marbled checkers! Cheers! 🎈
WOW 💗 SUPER 💗 WOW
Thank YOU! ✌🏼✨🎲🎲
@@jjmckenna Wycliffe Brothers is my 21 inch board
@@predator8320ify That's a very nice board, and comes in some really gorgeous color combinations!
Wow! Fabulous looking board - and what a generous gesture from FM Gammon. Happy Birthday!
P.S. How about calling it "Purple Rain"? :-)
Purple Rain is the first thing that popped into my head, too, Raymond! Cheers!
Thanks for all of these videos, it’s a huge help. Any chance you’ll be bringing in an Ayse? I can’t find one on RUclips.
Thanks for your support. I don’t have plans to get an Ayse board, because it is so similar to the BG Earth board. Both are composed of beechwood and have the same bear off slots for checkers, and no handle on the exterior. I think the Ayse looks lovely, though, especially with the ‘wood grain’ Taki inserts and brown checkers. The green tone board is especially gorgeous! Cheers! ✨
That is stunning! FM Gammon are the best. Love my Earth Board! There so good I might have to buy another. 😂
Josh - Glad to hear you're enjoying the Earth board!
The issue with buying 'another' board, is that it leads to 'another, and another, and another...!'
@@jjmckenna very true !
What a wonderful surprise! And no tequila was harmed in the consumption of this video. Or something like that.
Reese - Good to hear! ✨
Their Hera Board is made out of Beech according to their site. Seems like they are discontinuing their MDF boards. Hopefully they will bring out new models with their interchangeable playing surfaces. That was nice of FM Gammon to give you a birthday present like this. I too have been eyeing Artgammon as well. I think that I am going to get a custom board from them instead. I like their tournament size board and their points actually show the tips with 5 checkers on the points. Also love their vintage circle tipped points. Has that vintage Crisloid look with the points nearly touching at the center with circle tips.
Chris, You are correct that FM is discontinuing manufactured wood boards, concentrating on solid woods (beechwood, mahogany).
I believe most of their new boards will incorporate the changeable playing surfaces; they are really nice, and I love basically having two different boards (or more) with different checker possibilities, at my fingertips. That's fun.
I've been trying to work something out with Ufuk of ArtGammon and his US distributor, but they have not followed up with me on acquiring a board. Maybe one day they'll get in touch, as they know I'm interested.
If you get an ArtGammon board, I'm sure you will enjoy it very much. I like the look of their boards. Enjoy, and have fun!
Justin - I got interested in the 2nd move with 2-2 after a 1-3 first move (8:11) as a learning exercise for myself. You moved 6/4(2) and 13/11(2).
I wondered if 24/22(2) was better than off the mid point. It turns out that according to xg it was. What got me curious was what if your 1st roll was a 6/1 and you covered the 7 point with 13/7 and 8/7 then what would xg say then about 2-2. It turns out the 24/22(2) is not preferable but the 13/11(2) is better.
It might be nerdy of me but I thought that distinction of have the 5 pt anchor vs the 7 pt anchor is not so minor as it relates to a 2nd 2-2 roll. Interesting stuff. Thanks for your videos.
Jay - Very interesting points (literally and figuratively)! I ran the moves through XG myself and it's interesting that the difference between the moves you specify is minimal (my XG readout shows a -0.002 delta at XG++). My 'error' was not running a black back checker out with my 5-4 second roll (24/15 over 13/8, 13/9).
Maybe next time I'll be perfect! Thanks for 'nerding out' with me, and for your continued support! Cheers!
@@jjmckenna yes small and not trying to be critical at all. (I don’t think you took it that way) It triggered my curiosity. After 40 years of playing I’m really enjoying nerding-out deeper into the strategy and strangely having fun trying to understand the hidden logic. I also know I learn it better when I share with others. Thanks for playing along. If you ever get down to the Oakland area let me know and we can play a few rounds. Cheers.
@@creativeillumination Jay, no offense taken at all. I recalled an error in my play, and thought it might be the move you described, but it was the ‘next’ move. All in the interest of learning.
I didn’t realize you live pretty close to me here in the Sacramento area. Hope to play a round or two sometime! 🎲🎲✨
hey can you please add link to the art gammon unboxing of your friend?? thx Justin
Craig - Here's the link: ruclips.net/video/5AD7HXQhr10/видео.html
@@jjmckenna - That's one 'funny lady'!
Very interesting color, perfect for a Minnesota Vikings fan! It's not really to my taste, but to each their own.
Interesting that you thought this board was made from manufactured wood, but later found it that it's beechwood. Does that change your opinion of the overall quality of the board?
Dr. Fly, yeah, it's funny how I initially said this would be a good board for a Ravens fan; I don't know why I didn't think of Minnesota first!
I'm a bit conflicted about this board, honestly. I initially thought it was MDF, because it appears to be made exactly like the Hamdi board I purchased from FM, down to the smallest details. Unlike my Talat and Mete boards, this one has sharp corners, which I don't prefer, when compared to the rounded edges of the Talat and Mete boards, which simply feel of a higher quality overall. However, this is a beautiful, substantial board, with leather exterior, so I shouldn't have any issues with it, right? I just don't find myself playing on it as much. I also tend to prefer natural wood tones, while this board is painted black.
Hallo sir checkers 10x44.5 or .......pleas
Mr. Vatan - I believe you are generally correct, but these checkers may be just a bit thicker, perhaps 11mm thick, instead of 10mm. Cheers!
Purple color is for girls or not
I think this would be a perfect board for someone that supports a team that has white, purple and/or black in their colors.
The Baltimore Ravens come to mind. Cheers! 🎲🎲
Hi Justin! Do u wanna sell this board?
I could imagine a deal. What do you have in mind? Shipping can be quite expensive, especially overseas.
@@jjmckennaid be interested if you still wanted to sell this board.