Book for advanced players

Blitz · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 18

I was wondering if anyone could recommend the best book for improving my backgammon game and strategy. I am an intermediate player I guess… I have a rating of 1668 on Snowie.

Jade · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 27

Hmm… well I think a lot of people would say that you should read Magriel’s “Backgammon”, but I’m not sure that’s the best book for you. I find Magriel’s book to be a little old fashioned—it was written in the 70s. Aside from that, I think it’s a good choice for beginners because it has a lot of basic stuff in it, but maybe I didn’t find it to be the Bible that everyone says it is.

On that note, I think you should try reading something by Bill Robertie. “501 Essential Backgammon Problems” and “Backgammon for Serious Players” are probably good choices for your level. His “Advanced Backgammon” books are good too.

Deuce · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 38

I think I would have to disagree and say that Magriel’s “Backgammon” is far more helpful than anything by Robertie. Robertie’s books are full of errors and the answers are far from being clear (in my humble opinion). I think that Magriel’s book is the best book on backgammon for a player at your level, hands down. Calling a book “old fashioned” just because it was published in the 70s is silly. This book still does the best job of explaining backgammon strategies and the theories behind them that I have seen. If you want to choose the best book for improving your backgammon game and strategy it has to be Magriel.