What's the deal with backgammon clocks?

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Today we're taking a look at backgammon clocks. What are they? Why are they used? How do you use them? Common courtesy’s and a few popular versions.
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Backgammon Clocks (Amazon Affiliate Links)
Leap Clock: amzn.to/464rHh3
ZMF-II Clock: amzn.to/46rbr9o
Tempest Clock: amzn.to/4657Nm4
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0:00 INTRO
01:33 WHAT ARE THEY & WHY USE THEM
03:00 HOW TO USE THEM
04:50 COMMON COURTESY'S
05:38 POPULAR VERSIONS
07:15 LEAP CLOCK
08:51 TEMPEST CLOCK
10:52 ZMF-II CLOCK
15:40 OUTRO

Опубликовано:

4 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 73

@eddieballgame 10 месяцев назад

This is the best video I have seen on the use & setting up of different clocks for Backgammon, well done Jason.

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Thanks, eddie! So glad to hear it. Cheers! 😃

@tfpp1 3 месяца назад

I’m a musician who’s recently discovered the joys of backgammon. Clocks don’t scare me, I think of them like “metronomes” for games. And I’m very used to using a metronome. 😅

@blunderblots 3 месяца назад

Nice! Welcome to the game! So much fun! Great way to think about it! I've gotten a lot more comfortable with them too. Still a little nerve wracking when you get below 30 seconds though, hahaha! Cheers!

@mmesich 10 месяцев назад

The default tournament clock settings we use are not intended to add a "race to beat the clock" challenge. But rather to define a top end to how long a match can take to just keep it reasonable. However, it also adds better clarity to when you finish your turn and tends to promote focus on the game rather than chit-chat!

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

This is a great point! Being newer to the clock, it can sometimes feel like a "race to beat the clock" although I definitely know that's not the intended purpose, like you pointed out. It's just something that needs to be done enough. Thankfully you had the bonus time for intermediate, so it was a little less scary (never had to ask for it!). Loved the intermediate division at Viking. 😁 Indication of turn is another great point and one I wish I would have remembered for this one.

@GrantTarredus 2 месяца назад

Thanks for this; I just bought a leap clock and this helped very much. Happy rolling!

@blunderblots 2 месяца назад

So happy to hear this! Cheers and happy rolling to you as well!

@backyammonyams 10 месяцев назад

Great job!! This is exactly the kind of video I was looking for before getting into tournament play.

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Thanks, James! Awesome! I'm glad I hit the nail on the head. I appreciate you asking for the video!

@backyammonyams 3 месяца назад

@CensoredSheepChannel 10

@rickgardner9126 10 месяцев назад

The leap clock is what I have Justin. Nice video

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Thanks, Rick! It's a great clock! Cheers! 😀

@adaminvalencia 10 месяцев назад

Another great video, Jason! I have the ZMF II and agree it's the best clock. I sometimes have a problem when pausing the clock after a point. I have to remember to touch both sides or sometimes the full 12-second delay doesn't kick in on the next play. I'm still playing 3 minutes per point, but hope to switch to two minutes now that I'm used to playing with a clock. I don't like the Tempest clock even though it's more snazzy. In the videos I've seen, it tends to move about a lot. Anyway, I'm glad that I'm not the only person who has been stressed by low time! 😄

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

It really is a great clock! Nothing wrong with 3 minutes per point. Bri sets it high so she can keep getting used to it and forget about it, haha. Hopefully we can both be less stressed by clocks before long. Cheers! 😀

@sebastiaankuijs5564 10 месяцев назад

I have 2 zmfs and tempest i really like both of them. i use the tempest for money games and the zmf for tournaments :). excelent video again keep up the good work.

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Thank you! 😀 They're great clocks and it sounds like you have a nice selection. The ZMF really excels for tournaments. Cheers!

@Laurencetw 10 месяцев назад

thanks for the great vid. imo, you're the best channel ever for amateur players. off topic, but when showing matches you're in, could you please show the dice rolls in big numbers? i know it requires extra work from you, but it would improve your content greatly for people that can only watch you on their phones. have a great day brother!

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Hi Laurence! Thanks so much, that means a lot! 😁 I definitely plan to do that for playthroughs going forward! I was planning on doing that with my recent video with Ben and it completely slipped my mind. My apologies. Thank you for the reminder! You have a great day too! Cheers! 😀

@michaelmitchell8567 10 месяцев назад

Legends! Great video. I am not fond of online timers, when the openent is angry you beat them and they let the time run down...

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Thanks, Michael! Yeah, that’s a real bummer with online timers. Fortunately not something to worry about with live play (although technically I guess someone could do something similar). Much easier to deal with though. Cheers! 😃

@backgammonskillset 5 месяцев назад

The other thing you can do with a clock is play Speed Gammon for practice, that way when you are in a tournament and in time trouble for the first time its not new, you've been here before, you know you can play fast and you are experienced with managing the time-delay to your advantage. Plus it's fun.

@blunderblots 5 месяцев назад

Great tip! I got into that predicament in my last tournament and I wasn't ready to play faster confidently, haha. Cheers!

@erforderlich5274 5 месяцев назад

I vote for ZMF-Pro! The metal case is def worth it. 2nd choice: ZMF-II, 3rd choice: DGT 960 or Leap since both are small & very affordable. Tempest is not on my list since my phone is my phone and also camera to take pics. Also take into account battery drain and the fact to remove your phone case to use it in the cradle. Also the tempest cradle itself wears out very fast as seen on UBC Final Lyloff vs. Mochy '23.

@blunderblots 5 месяцев назад

Hello! I haven't had the chance to use a ZMF-Pro yet but they sound really nice! ZMF-II is still my go to. Love that clock! You bring up a lot of great points. I don't mind the Tempest at all. It's a cool idea. A wireless charger built into it would be awesome. But I too take a lot of photos/videos so it definitely makes it a challenge, haha. Cheers! 😀

@alanb9243 10 месяцев назад

Hi Jason. Another great video! I'm no production expert, but for me, the single front-on camera shot you've used here works so much better than having multiple angles of your face. I find that very distracting and unnatural (although you see it EVERYWHERE). The only time it can work is if you're interviewing someone and we see the angled shot as they're talking to you (out of shot). I think if you do use multiple cameras, the only way it works is if you look into each one, then edit it afterwards so that we always see you face-on (like newsreaders do, for instance). If you're talking to US, be looking at US, not a random space.

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Hi Alan and thank you! A lot of times the extra cameras are used to cover up edits when there isn't extra footage to do that for you. I hear what you're saying though and I'll do my best to make sure I'm looking into the camera when I'm talking directly to you. Thanks for the feedback and cheers! 😁

@Magyar0649 10 месяцев назад

Jason - Being a chess player I am very familiar with clocks, their settings and how to use, but this was a VERY informative video and the only one that I have seen concerning backgammon. Well Done. I think you guys are doing a very good job. Keep it up. I have a question maybe you can help me with. I sent a query to the USBGF community hub, but as of yet not gotten a reply. The question is.... "What are the official rules related to players changing checker colors during a match, how are colors decided for the match and when do you change the direction the checkers move, after each game in the match, after each match? Any explanation would be helpful.

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Thanks Jeffery! I'm glad you found value in it! 😁 I'm actually not sure on the checker play. Let me see what I can find out! 😁

@mmesich 10 месяцев назад

When players sit down to play, a board is decided, checker color is decided and direction is decided. In general, every experienced player will have no issue with any result. If players cannot agree, they will roll for it. Once determined, none of these features will change during the match.

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

@@mmesichThanks for chiming in, Michael! I appreciate it! 😊

@Magyar0649 10 месяцев назад

Thanks Michael very informative. Will not help me play any better, but informative none the less. @@blunderblots 😁

@banjoemily3852 7 месяцев назад

When I've played chess with a clock, I've always just used a chess clock app on my phone. No feedback in terms of a physical button, but full functionality

@blunderblots 7 месяцев назад

Hello! I've tried that too and it definitely get's the job done. Cheers!

@claireenglish3558 6 месяцев назад

Hi Jason, i know you said it was 'simple', but i counted 25 specific clicks (!) on the LEAP clock to set it 🤣 it's UI like that explains why my microwave is still blinking 12:00AM... maybe it's just me but it looked like you had the Tempest swiped and set in a half second? (or did you have to do some pre setting up to get to that point)?. Also about the ZMF - i don't like that it doesn't show my opponents time when it's my turn (unless you set it to blinky mode which is really distracting). Do you know of one that shows both players time and delay on one screen? Thanks for the review... very useful as i consider my clock purchase! Keep up the great content! ✌🏻

@blunderblots 6 месяцев назад

Hello! Thank you! Yes, in terms of clicks they can certainly take a little time. If you aren't changing your time settings often, the presets definitely take the extra clicking out of it. The Tempest is definitely quick to setup, but if you take photos/video of your positions often while playing that can be a challenge unless you have an extra phone to use. As for the ZMF question I don't know off hand of a clock showing both delay and time at once (other than the Tempest). Not to say there isn't one out there. In actual play though I haven't found it to be an issue, but I might be misunderstanding you. Happy to help with any questions! Cheers!

@frailingbanjo 10 месяцев назад

Hey! Just starting watching your channel. Love your passion for the game! I have the tempest. Really like it, but if you only have one phone, it's hard to take pics while you are at the brewery! Looking into getting a ZMF soon. Thanks!

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Hello! Thank you, that means a lot! 😁 That's a great point about only having one phone and taking photos. I always steal my wife's and send the positions to myself, haha. Backgammon at the brewery. Such a good combination! The ZMF is great, you'll love it. Cheers! 😀

@frailingbanjo 9 месяцев назад

Just got the ZMF timer. Your video has really helped with the set up! Hope to play a timed match with it in the next week or two. Thanks for the videos! My ZMF is black with a blue LED, btw

@blunderblots 9 месяцев назад

@@frailingbanjo Awesome! So glad to hear you picked one up. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. The black with blue LED seems to be one of their main clocks and definitely the one I see the most of at tournaments. Cheers! 😀

@frailingbanjo 9 месяцев назад

Thanks! You are doing an awesome job!

@blunderblots 9 месяцев назад

@@frailingbanjo Thank you! That means a lot! 😁

@jeffkane221 10 месяцев назад

80's tournament directors had a few to impose 1 on a extremely slow match or if behind in a bracket. Even if it was loser from last match (slow.) So...I associate clocks with .. dunce caps. Public humiliation. Imposed penalty. I like the social aspect. Where? What? How? Clocks make players just play & click. Clocks suck & make me twitchy.

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Hey Jeff! Yeah, I can see how that would translate over. The clock rarely comes out during casual games, but I try to stay up on them due to tournaments. They can certainly add a lot of fun if you let them too (at least casually). Bri would definitely agree with the twitchy part. The shot of her declining the clock sums up her thoughts on them very clearly, haha. Cheers! 😁

@samfraulino 10 месяцев назад

We actually really enjoy it. We only use it in the household when one of us challenges each other in a 11pt match. Like it's a real deal !

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

I love it! It really does bring a whole new level of complexity to the game. I definitely enjoy it, but it ups the adrenaline for sure, haha. Good stuff! Cheers! 😁

@aidenhastings6341 4 месяца назад

Does anyone know how to use the byo yomi time setting on a DGT North American?

@peda0976 10 месяцев назад

I use Excalibur game timer. Is a little vintage but works fine

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

I’ve seen a couple of those at tournaments. I haven’t personally used one, but they seem to get the job done just fine! Cheers! 😃

@marlonvelasquez2993 4 месяца назад

Where did you buy your Excalibur clock?

@mmesich 10 месяцев назад

Whether or not the clock resets the delay after a pause depends on the firmware of your clock. That's a new feature that you won't see on most of the current ones in use. I'm conflicted about which method is better. In backgammon we pause the clock in between games far more than during them so I think I favor the always reset more rarely do you find situations where it feels like you're gifting delay back after a pause for discussion about a legal move or something.

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

I agree. The always reset would be a nice feature I think! 😁

@claireenglish3558 6 месяцев назад

@@blunderblots Hey Jason, great video. About reset, the middle clock you showed (Tempest) did it so nicely i thought. (the reset button was presented right there on the pause screen but had a protection / confirmation button just to make sure its not pressed by accident. i thought that was awesome!) I think the default assumption should be that your next game will be played with the same time controls as your last one. So the way Tempest handles reset makes a lot of sense as far as set it and forget it.

@marlonvelasquez2993 4 месяца назад

And what do you think about the quality of the ZMF clock, is it durable?

@blunderblots 4 месяца назад

I like it! I'd say it's pretty durable and has served me well. It's plastic construction though, so if it was dropped I'm not sure how it would do. The ZMF-Pro is supposed to be pretty nice with metal construction, but I haven't personally used it. It's over double the price too. Cheers!

@marlonvelasquez2993 4 месяца назад

@@blunderblots thanks for your reply

@blueshells50 29 дней назад

Does the leap fit inside a board?

@blunderblots 28 дней назад

It fits inside my tournament sized Crisloid, but I haven't checked it with other boards. I feel like I've seen others do it, although don't quote me on that, haha.

@mmesich 10 месяцев назад

For the ZMF-II - Once you've set the time or delay, you can hit the left button to quickly get back to Play instead of cycling through all the meaningless settings.

@chriswalker810 10 месяцев назад

I'm quite familiar with clocks because of the chess world. Actually chess is the reason you have clocks for backgammon. There's one edict in the chess world that I don't see in backgammon. Whatever hand you use to move your pieces. Is the same hand you use for hitting the clock. In actual chess tournaments you will be penalized for off handing the clock. Also pieces are to be upright before hitting the clock. Of course backgammon doesn't have that issue. However all final plays should have the checkers on their points before hitting the clock. Clocks can be stressful but like you said it becomes more natural the more you use them.

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Definitely! Speed chess is really fun to watch. There needs to be more of that for backgammon, haha. Yeah, I think it's good tournament etiquette to use one hand. I usually try to, but sometimes I forget. Slightly off topic, but this makes me think of the Viking Classic. They had a side event that was touch/play like you see in chess sometimes. It was really interesting to watch, haha. Cheers! 😁

@ivandavelive 10 месяцев назад

Хороший канал👍

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Thank you! 😃

@modfather1964 10 месяцев назад

I like the ZMF but can't find them in the U.K...

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Bummer… have you had any luck with others clocks being available?

@NavotnaStoechka 10 месяцев назад

отличный контент! показывай больше досок!

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

I'm using Google translate, so I apologize for any inaccuracies. Спасибо! Я постараюсь добавить больше досок! 😀

@louism2970 10 месяцев назад

I don't think you mention the critical part that the whole point of using a clock is that if your time runs out you lose!

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

Hi Louis! I mention it around 2:14. I haven't had this happen yet, but I'm sure I will, haha. I got down to 20 seconds in my last tournament. I'm sure for some people that's not a big deal, but I was definitely nervous about it, haha. Cheers! 😃

@louism2970 10 месяцев назад

Sorry I missed it! Love the content keep it up@@blunderblots

@blunderblots 10 месяцев назад

⁠@@louism2970Not a problem! Glad you’re enjoying the videos. Cheers! 😃