Tom Scott vs Irving Finkel: The Royal Game of Ur | PLAYTHROUGH | International Tabletop Day 2017

I came here for Tom Scott and I'm staying for Museum Gandolf

"I'm rather intrigued to discover, that my opponent, who looks like a perfectly civilized person, is, in fact, mathematically capable."

Whoever edits these deserves a raise. Never thought the British museum could do such funny captions

these three guys are absolutely fantastic. Tom, Irving, and the caption writer.

I love that Irving Finkel looks EXACTLY like what I'd expect a british museum curator who has resurrected a boardgame from 2600 BC to look like

White long beard and hair: ✓ Round glasses: ✓ Old age: ✓ British accent: ✓ Visible wisdom: ✓ Possession of forgotten arcane knowledge: ✓ The arrogance of a mage: ✓ The desire for a competition of somewhat equivalent intelligence: ✓ A tiny drop of madness: ✓ Yep. He's definitely a wizard

this man is a veritable trove of information on ur. one might even call him a urologist

Really couldnt stop smiling from the interactions of those 2 people. 2 different generations coming together to enjoy a 4000 yer board game Wonderful!

Hello this is Irving Finkel Love all your comments!

Imagine being known thousands of years in the future, not because you were a famous astronomer or some other scientist, but because you texted your friends your house rules to monopoly

This is currently on Kickstarter and it managed to get founded. Soon this game will be in the shelves of board game stores all over the world once again.

Definitely think that the British Museum should make a replica of this again! I would surely purchase it.

" I never use mathematics, or statistics, or calculation, or anything at all like that. Because I can't do it. So I just use magic" - The Archmage

Me: Youtube: Here's a programmer and wizard playing a 4,500 year old board game

“I do hope you’re not taking this domination personally…” Well damn! I wasn’t until you said the word ‘domination’! Hahaha Irving is a monster… an absolute mad wizard!

Only halfway in, I had to play this myself. There's a nifty online version for free you can try out against computer or human opponents. Irving was totally right, that center spot on the board is almost always guarded by the high level opponents. Since you cannot land on an opponent who is on it, they are completely safe. And the moment you go four squares beyond them, you are their target, and the next piece in their army takes their place in the center square watchtower. Had a few games where that center spot seemed to be more important than getting pieces off the board. Very interesting game. Kinda surprised some board game company isn't selling boards, because this is funner to me than backgammon.

"I'm still kind of astonished that there is something that old, just sitting there." That wasn't very nice of you, Tom.

This guy can confirm it’s 4000 years old because he was 14 years old when the game first came out.

Greetings from Finland! I frist came across this video during the pandemic. We made a simple board, used lego bricks as pieces and icecream with sticks one side painted for dice. My teenage sons loved it and it very much helped us get through the lockdown whitout getting any crazier than we already are. 😆 My boys still take the game with them when they go camping, its part of their summer ritual. Thank you!

I love everything about this video Irving Finkel Tom The editing The humor The game itself everything !