Winning Backgammon

by John Leet

Book Overview

Backgammon is one of the most misunderstood and underrated games, often being labeled as a game of chance in which the winner is determined by the luck of the dice. In actuality, backgammon, when properly played, is a challenging game involving a great deal of skill. Learn the secrets of winning consistently, in this illustrated manual. An explanation of the rules and mechanics of the game, including the often ignored use of the doubling cube, is followed by instruction in various strategies. First, master basic strategy, including blocking, caterpillaring, and mental aspects of the game. Next, see how the correct doubling strategy can make or break a player's success. The use of the roll-over-the once-per-game option of either rolling again or forcing your opponent to roll again--is also fully explained, followed by the recommended opening and early-game moves and strategies for the mid-game, the end-game, and bearing-off. The problematic back-game is detailed, as is the correct set, match, and tournament strategy. Backgammon variants, including chouette, acey-deucy, and the beaver, are also explained. With a history going back more than 5,000 years, backgammon is the oldest game in civilization. With the strategies included here, anyone can become a future master of this ancient pastime. Sterling 128 pages, 81 b/w illus., 6 x 9.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806904593
• ISBN13: 9780806904597
• Release Date: June 1998
• Publisher: Sterling
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Apology, I was wrong and stand corrected

I recalculated the result of the expected number of pips you move on a throw of the dice, and my apologies, John Leet is 100% correct. It is 8 + 1/6. I was in gross error. I stopped reading the book because I disagreed with the calculation, and didn't want to read the rest of it. But it turns out to be quite a decent book. I like it as a high level introduction to Backgammon, it is for a slightly advanced audience. Juraj

Good intro book--and the math checks out

This is a good all-purpose introduction to Backgammon strategy. Previous reviewer is confusing craps and backgammon when he criticizes the math. If you reread section 3-19 of this book, the author is calculating the average number of "pips" you move on any given roll. He didn't accidentally count the double rolls twice; he counted the number of pips you move on a double roll twice, which is correct. 4-4 may be "eight the hard way" in craps, but in backgammon, you get to move 16 pips. The odds of rolling a 16 in craps is 0/36, while it's 1/36 in backgammon. If you count up the number of pips you move on each of the 36 rolls instead of just the craps-style dice total for all 36 rolls, you will find out that the average in this book is correct: 294/36 = 8.1666...

If you like winning at backgammon, this book will help.

Before reading this book I considered myself an intermediate backgammon player. After reading this book I realized I was only a beginning backgammon player. Having learned many of the moves and strategies found in this book, I now consider myself an intermediate player and improving with each game. You won't win every game but you'll win many more than what you did before.

Excellent book for intermediate players

This book is one of the main reasons of me being hooked on backgammon. It states the principles and strategies of the game in a well-mannered way. After reading this book, I found myself thinking every move calculating the odds of the plays. Excellent book.

I recommend this book for backgammon players of all levels.

I found this book to be very interesting and easy to understand. It explicitly states and explains 130 strategy principles, with sub-principles, which are illustrated by about 100 figures and tables. The backgammon rules are included along with an explanation of how to play the game. The strategy covers all phases of the game and match. As a novice backgammon player, this book has helped me to improve my game considerably.