Skill Set, the interchangeable surfaces are amazing! It’s like being able to have two distinct boards, even with the same checkers! It is a worthwhile investment in a piece of art that could potentially last for generations. Worth the 💰‼️‼️🎲🎲
Hey Justin! Your videos are terrific. I think I’ve watched all of them. I’m thinking of buying a premium board. Which do you like better, FM Gammon or Gammoner? I love the warm sound of the wood on the FM Gammon.
John, thanks for watching my videos and for your question. As you likely know from my videos, I love the warm sounds of the wood on the FM boards I own. Honestly, I would go with an FM board for a couple reasons. First, they are a bit more reasonably priced than Gammoner boards. Second, you could purchase an FM board and receive it via FedEx very quickly. As far as I am aware, a custom Gammoner board will take several weeks to be made and shipped to you (perhaps 60-90 days or longer 😮). I love my FM boards and I like the company and the people that run it very much. The owner of the company invited me to Istanbul in 2022 and gave me a hotel room for the duration of my stay - a class act. Let me know if you have any other questions. I recommend the Onur board (named after a friend of mine who works with FM and with whom I played doubles with in Istanbul). The Mete board is also gorgeous; I’m not sure exactly how it differs from the Onur board, but make sure to specify the playing surfaces and checkers you want when you order. Of course, the same would apply to a Gammoner in terms of designing your custom playing surface and checkers. Hope this helps and good luck! 🙌🏼🎲🎲🏆
@@jjmckenna Thank you so much Justin for such a detailed and thoughtful reply. I was leaning towards an FM board so I am glad to see your comments. The Onur board looks beautiful. Now I just need to decide on which playing surfaces and checkers to get, which won’t be easy since they all look nice. Thanks again. Your videos are the gold standard when it comes to board reviews.
I know, right?! The guy responsible doesn’t speak great English, and didn’t check the spelling of my name, oddly. I believe they have corrected the problem and that the boards offered on their website are now *correctly* spelled, lol. Cheers! 👏🏼🎲🎲🔆
Hi Justin. Can you please make a "wear and tear" video? I am trying to decide between a wooden fmgammon or black painted galaxy board. Thank you for all the videos 👍🎲
E.T., Better yet, if you give me your email I’ll send you a detailed email with photos of the wear and tear on a few of my boards, so you can get an idea of how they hold up. Cheers! 🙌🏼🎲🎲
I'm having a Casa de Gamao board made for me (with 2" checkers) and am wondering if you've had experience with that set. I know Marc Olsen loves his. Thanks!
Brent - I have not yet owned a Casa de Gamao board, but I’m pretty sure I have played on one before at a tournament. The same is true of Aries boards from Mexico. I hope you enjoy your new board! It sounds lovely! 👏🏼💭🎲🎲
Hi Justin Realy like your video. I play backgammon over a decade now and think of getting a nice board. Is there big difference in build and quality betwen the Talat and the Earth board. There are plenty of beautifull board between galaxy and fmgammon, even both are fm boards. It's difficult to choose.
Hi, Olivier! Thanks for your question. As you can see in this video, there is a significant size difference between the Earth board and the FM Talat board when I compare them in size. The Earth board is more compact, by a large margin, but it’s also very nice to play on even as a smaller format board. The Talat is a huge tournament-size board, so it’s going to be bigger and heavier. Both are really well built, and both can be customized with surfaces and checkers of your choosing. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions, cheers! 🎲🎲👏🏼💭
Excellent choice! I saw one recently at the Texas Backgammon Championships in San Antonio and it looks really well built with a redesigned satchel for the checkers, cups, cube, etc. 👏🏼🎲🎲
I don’t recall, but it is approximately 23 inches long when closed. I believe you can find the exact dimensions on the Gammon Village website on which these boards are sold. Cheers!
Hello, just getting into backgammon and I'm 52 years old and I absolutely am falling in love with it. By chance are you considering selling any of your fm boards
Hey there, thanks for the comment! Coincidentally, I offered to sell my FMGammon Earth board to a friend in the Bay Area, but he passed. I’m open to selling a board, but in terms of FM boards specifically, I only have the Hera board, and the Earth board. My Talat board is so nice, I can’t imagine selling it. What did you have in mind? Thank you for watching my videos!
You remind me of a person responsible for the murder of Steven Ramon Diaz III who also had taken part in the kidnapping of Sierra laMar in 1997,and had stolen coins from the chapman's with durel,and Dave ,and I could swear I heard you in a recording from a stolen sk9 recorder,and you hacked Ricardo .M Flores lawsuit with your old boss and a friend who is a wanted fugitive Hoffman and that landscape guy what was his name I know his Ford full size pickup hit me and my ex girlfriend in a attempted murder hmm your sister and brother en oh yeah Baker and Dave and Linda also had taken SSI edd money from marshaltown and the resteraunt starts as Rogers,Kevin's,Scotts aren't the sheriff's in Merced,oh Rick wins the Calif lottery from the sheriff dept and Dave takes money from my ticket at the gas station and you run to mcDonalds and take the change from the $100 bill not the one from castle air force base flown in by C130 air transport if your Mathew Torres and your brother enlaw corriea his family on the sheriff DA and Police,where is my daughter Sierra Lamar mathew speaks aka Mathew Torres and the money from marshaltown the 17.5 million in cash,Mimi silberts laptops and safe and the vice presidents laptop with the codes to the nuclear weapons that require two people in case the other goes roque then I have to shot you on the spot.You and your so called Corperation are number 1 on the FBI list and where the hell is Steven and Robert Qualls son $#&@.You have 2 hours The everything will be taken dead or alive.treason there buddy,and Adrian Diaz and sister alijia and AJ are not playing nor his friends where he lives nor his gorgeous teacher and all the school.by the way you do not want to piss Sophia off or terry you will never hear the end of it.
Another excellent video! You do a great job! How do you think the 869 compares to the FTH as far as "budget" custom boards? Any other contenders for "best" in that category?
Tom, Thanks for your comment and question. I’m not sure I would consider FTH a ‘budget’ custom board maker, but I would say that I prefer the FTH playing surface, which is a lovely merino wool, to many other boards out there for similar prices. If I was in the market for a board right now, I’d probably go with the slightly smaller FTH board (my full-size board is LONG), designed with the colors I want, as well as the round dice cups, which I think are preferable to the oval cups I received. 869 boards are likely more customizable, but the playing surface isn’t as nice as the FTH boards. Hope this helps! Thanks for the kind words, cheers! 🙌🏼✨🎲🎲‼️
Sam, It is an expensive piece of art, but when one considers that the board could last for generations, becoming a family heirloom, I think it’s worth it! 🎲‼️🎲🙌🏼
@@jjmckenna Indeed, my 25th wedding anniv is next summer, maybe this is in my future. I would love to see one in person. Our family plays backgammon all the time, and our young daughter as well, what a great thing to hand down.
@@samfraulino6623 I’ve had the same thing happen multiple times when I play with my mentor, Sam Ahmed, here in Sacramento. ‘OMG, I think I know this game! What is it? My Nana played this with her brother!’
I don't have a Mini Nature board from FMGammon, but I do have a Mini Blackhawk board that is somewhat similar. I like it! But, the checkers, cups, dice, etc. are held in a bag that rests within the closed board.
The best source of information on checkers is on the FMGammon website (fmgammon.com). This board uses a certain ‘type’ of checker, which I think are around 44.5mm wide and about 12mm thick. They are dished and very nicely marbled. Looking at FM’s website, they have a whole bevy of new checkers available. I may have to get some new ones myself! Good luck! 👍🏼
It IS a fun board to play on, and I don’t have to worry about it getting dirty or spilling something on it or near it, because it’s essentially indestructible! Thanks for your comment!
Sounds perfect for travel, a house full of kids or adults with a beverage in their hands. 😉 I would love to see your Crisloid board again. Would you make a video with you playing a friendly game on your Crisloid board? Take care. :)
@@lilitsogomonyan3860 - I will try to do something along these lines in the near future. I'm hoping to get a new board from P-40 at some point, but a video featuring my first board also sounds cool. Thanks for the suggestion! 🤩
That’s a very nice compliment, thank you! I don’t know if you play in live tournaments, but I do occasionally travel to play backgammon. Most likely Denver in October and San Antonio in February. Cheers! 👋🏼💭🎲🎲✨‼️
Im about to buy my first backgammon set. Id like to buy a nice set with great colors. Any suggestions? Im torn between wood and leather, 1 3/4" vs 2" checkers. Any advice you can give me, Im getting confused. So many choices. Thanks a lot!
Jody, Thanks for the comment and the request for help. The first factor to consider with your board purchase is your budget. The more you’re willing to spend, the nicer the board you can get. But, there are decent boards for less than $200, and lower. I prefer cloth playing surfaces (wool or synthetic felt) to wood surfaces, but that’s a personal preference. Some people love wooden surface boards. 2-inch checkers are quite large and require a larger board, which usually means a higher price. I think 1.5 or 1.75 inch checkers are a good size, usually with a board around 20-21 inches long when closed. There are many good, affordable boards on websites like GammonVillage (dot com), and even on Amazon (Silverman being a well-known lower priced brand). For boards in the higher priced $500-$1000 range, I’d look at brands like Aries, Hector Saxe, FMGammon or a custom-designed board from Crisloid of Rhode Island (which would allow you to choose your own checkers and board colors). My first board is from Crisloid, and I still love it. There are many different options, so figure out what you can afford and check out some of the available options mentioned above which will likely feature your favorite colors. And feel free to ask any other questions that come up during your search. Good luck! 🙌🏼🎲🎲✨
@@jjmckenna Thanks for your in depth reply!!! Im looking at an FTH Tournament board now. I wasn't sure I wanted a Crisloid board with the cork. They are planning on releasing a board made of fabric but not until closer to the end of the year.Think Ill stay away from 2" because they are much more pricey. Do you give Zoom lessons?
@@jodyvalentino7281 Jody, FTH boards are super nice, but you may want to consider their ‘medium-sized’ board, and I recommend the round cups, not the oval cups. I imagine the medium board may be a bit cheaper than the full-size board I have. It’s very, very long, while I think the medium board would be more ideal board dimensions. Good luck! Oh, and I don’t do lessons online, but I can recommend some people.
@@jodyvalentino7281 Jody - Wood cases are generally fine if you treat them right. You may get an occasional scuff, or even a small dent if it knocks into something, but I’ve had no issues with any of my boards made of a wood exterior.
I've seen several of your backgammon board/set reviews and have found all of them to be VERY informative, thank you. I'm in the process of purchasing and higher end backgammon board/set and torn between this one and the Crisloid Tournament Attaché. My specific 'hang-up' is the checkers, not sure whether to go with the nickel plated that comes with Wycliff or the acrylic that comes with Crisloid. I'm sure both boards would fit my needs. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions?
Jeffery, Thank you for the kind words and the comment seeking input on your board choice. My personal preference is for the Crisloid over this specific Wycliffe Bros. board for a few reasons. First, Crisloid is a US-based company and the boards are built in Rhode Island. Second, you can find specific checkers with Crisloid that really fit your style and that go with a board that complements the checkers. I actually sold my Wycliffe board not long after I reviewed it, because I found the board simply too long and large! The checkers were also a bit clunky. Moreover, I’ve seen several Wycliffe boards after a few years of play, and some parts of them (specifically the cups) don’t hold up very well over time. The only thing about Crisloid boards that some people find off putting is the cork playing surface, which definitely has a different sounds and texture. I believe Crisloid is going to start offering boards with a fabric playing surface, but I have yet to see one, let alone play on one. You may want to consider an FMGammon board in the same price range as the Wycliffe or Crisloid (e.g., the Blackhawk, Yaldiz or Nature boards); they are very well made boards that come in a wide variety of styles and colors. I find that I play on my FM boards more than almost all my other boards. Hope this response helped, and good luck with your board adventure! Cheers! 🙌🏼✨🎲🎲
Good eye! This board was sent to me by Backgammon Galaxy after a customer returned it. Perhaps it was due to the un-anchored bear-off tray pieces, I don’t know. I haven’t taken any steps to glue them back as of now. I do like the board, but it is a BEAST!
Vinny, I finally saw your comment and tried sending you an email but it appears to have bounced back. My email is jjmckennajr @ gmail dot com. Thanks for sending me the file! ✨🎲🎲🙌🏼
JP - Yes, the VOID board and the Earth board that I own both have magnets embedded in the edge of the board, so it stays shut. The Monte Carlo board also, although I’ve only played on one, I don’t own one. Cheers!
@@itsmejp75 Like the Earth board, it’s all wood, with magnets for the closure, no handle. The checkers are gorgeous and the board comes with a carry bag. Enjoy! ✨🎲🎲🙌🏼
I have luxury FTH board for about 8 years now and I cannot be happier with it! Fazil is a friend of mine and a great guy. Super correct person and easy to work with. I highly recommend him and FTH brand. Once you play on such board, you will feel cripled playing on a plain and simple wood board.
Seth - Thank you for your comment! I agree that Fazil is wonderful and easy to work with. The boards are built super-solid. I may need to obtain one of his ‘medium’ size boards one of these days! Cheers! 🙌🏼💭🎲🎲✨👑
Jeffrey: I bet if you asked FM to include the black and gold checkers included in my video, they will send them. In fact, let me know if you decide to go in that direction, and I’ll confirm with my friend in Istanbul, Onur, who also has a board in his name (Onur board, very nice also). Cheers! 🤘🏼🎲🎲✨
@@jjmckenna thanks. I am definitely considering it. What do you think of the Earth board vs your signature model? They both look so nice and from your other videos, it seems like the Earth board might be one of your most used?
@@HappyHounds - Interesting comparison, the Earth board and the 'Justin McKenna' model. The Earth board is definitely more compact than my model; it also has the interior compartment (or alternative satchel), which makes it pretty unique. It is a pleasure to play on, which is why it's been used in a lot of tournaments sponsored by Backgammon Galaxy. It is currently priced at $1,100 on the Backgammon Galaxy Shop. My model is more compact than the other 'tournament-size' boards like the Talat, Hera, VOID board. It's only about two inches shorter, though, and I actually like the slightly more compact playing area very much. The leather exterior is also super nice, as is the leather bag, and the leather scoreboard. My board is currently listed for $1,200 on the FM Gammon website, and includes the leather carry bag (very nice), precision dice, and a leather scoreboard. Both the Earth board and my board feature the interchangeable surfaces, so one can mix things up with different tones, and different checkers, though they must be purchased separately. I played on my board for about three hours last night, with my doubles partner, Sam Ahmed. We played three 7-point matches, and he prevailed 2-1 in those, followed by a couple DMP games. My signature board is a pleasure to play on, and I would say that whether my name was inscribed on it, or NOT, lol. Good luck with your board purchase! Cheers!
Hi Justin, I saw a video by Vin R. He said that the fmgammon boards chipped easy. I’m in the marked for the talat board, what are your thoughts about it’s durability?
Hi, this is a good question about certain FM boards. I will say that the Talat has more of a shiny, lacquered finish than other boards (such as the Mete and Onur boards made of beech). I wouldn’t say that the Talat board chips ‘easily,’ but I will say that there are some marks where checkers tend to congregate, like on the bar, and in a couple places where checkers land regularly, near the bar. If marking is something that will bother you over time, assuming regular use, the Talat may not be the board for you. I personally don’t have any problem with the marking on the Talat, but that’s me. Feel free to friend me on FB, and I can forward some detailed pictures of my Talat, if you want more details. Thanks for the comment, and cheers! 🤘🏼🎲🎲✨
Hi Justin! Do you prefer this straight style cup or the concave style found in Hamdi/Mete? I guess maybe the concave is more comfortable/ergonomic but I could be totally wrong since I never played with these. :) Love your videos, invaluable stuff!
Máté - Thank you so much for the kind words! ☺️ I like both styles of dice cups from FM. Of my current boards, all of them have the straight style (Earth, Hera, VOID, Talat)! As you state, only my Hamdi and Mete boards had the concave cups! 😳 What I like about FM Gammon cups is the tone. 🎶 They have a pleasant ‘moist’ sound that is easy on the ears for hours. Cheers! ✨🎲🎲✨
Guess what's missing from your collection? A Bob Zavoral board. They are second to none with exquisite craftsmanship, and they are very reasonably priced compared to similar quality boards from other masters. For example, they are much cheaper but much better than FM Gammon boards. BTW, I'd never buy an FM Gammon board due to an ethical issue of how they started their business. They bought a Taki board, and then ripped off its construction and design. Their current prices are also almost double of what they used to charge 8 years ago.
Igor - You definitely have some strong opinions, which I respect. I, however, don’t have any facts or evidence regarding FM ‘ripping off’ a backgammon board design. I have doubts about your claim. Moreover, FM has continued to innovate and forward new and compelling designs, fabrics, woods, checkers, etc. over the years that I’ve been following them. As for prices, it’s a free market, and eight years ago seems like a lengthy enough time that a lot of things have gone up significantly in price since then, of course. Thank you for being respectful and not crass with your comment. I appreciate your input and viewpoint. Cheers! ✌🏼🎲🎲✨
@Justin McKenna Fair enough, Justin. I was somewhat active in the tournament scene around the time FM Gammon came around, and this was a well-known fact in the backgammon circle. Still, some players saw no issue in what they did, and this is certainly a matter of personal preference. I do sincerely wish that you get Bob Zavoral to make a board for you. Phil Simborg gave me his direct email, and that's how I got hold of him.
Hello Justin Have been playing on my new Talat Premium and you are right FM is at the top of their game. Like you said fast and super safe shipping, came in a custom create, also got the 011 blue and white surface and a extra set of the blue and white marble checkers. This board is a dream to play on and the quality is unmatched. Have you a shout out to them, as it was seeing your video helped me decide on what premium board I wanted Hope all is well
Scott, glad to hear you’re enjoying the Talat as I knew you would! I love the blue and white against the honey mahogany. Did you get the wood-grain ones as well? That’s for the kind words regarding my video. So glad it aided someone in acquiring one of these gorgeous boards. It’ll be a treasure for decades to come! Cheers! 🙌🏼🎲🎲⭐️
Yes I have the checkers that came with the Talat, and added the blue/white surface and checkers, the board looks great with either. The quality of the wood is outstanding. Now just need to up my game to match my board
@@scottfelson289 - Lol, I know what you mean! Sometimes I feel that my game is inadequate to, or insulting to, the board! I’ve been playing seriously now for almost three years, have been taking lessons with a coach who regularly competes with the world’s top players, and it still galls me when I make a huge blunder! And, I still do that regularly, lol. 🥸🎲🎲✨
@@jjmckenna I know what you mean, I am an amateur at best, have been watching a lot of videos but a coach sounds like a great idea, I need to try and find a coach or a place that teaches near me. Want to do right by this board
Hello Justin I am working on a sound library (dice, cups, etc) for XG GNUBG and so I plan to share this library with the community once it's finished. and I was wondering if I could use some parts of the audio from your videos to make the library richer Beforehand thank you very much
Thanks, Marc! I admit that I find myself playing on this board a lot. I have it on my dining room table, pretty much ready to go whenever I feel like rolling out a game. And I take it out to play with friends, too. Cheers! ✨🎲🎲✨✌🏼
@@marcgenevey I am very lucky to have a close friend, Sam Ahmed, that I play with regularly. He’s been in (and won) many tournaments over the years. Over the board play, in my opinion, is super productive to improving overall match play! 🙌🏼✨🎲🎲
