Specialized Backgammon Literature

Hedge · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 18

Why is it that backgammon literature – especially for intermediate and advanced players – focuses on the WHOLE game and not on specific aspects of the game? If you look at all the must-reads such as “Backgammon Boot Camp”, “501 Essential Positions” and “Advanced Backgammon”, you will see what I mean. I honestly feel that there is something sorely missing in the whole backgammon literature industry when it comes to writing texts about specialized backgammon concepts. What about more detailed information about racing games? And let us not forget the back game, blitzes and holding games. Are there books out there that I’m not aware of? Thanks!

Jade · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 27

I did a little detective work on my shelf moaning under the load of backgammon books and came up with the following list:

• Ace point end games - In the Game Until the End: Winning in Ace-point End Games” (Bob Wachtel).
• First two moves of a backgammon game – “Backgammon’s Best Opening Plays and Best Replies” (Bart Brooks).
• Match Situations that are 2 points away from winning – “Cubes and Gammons Near the End of the Match” (Danny Kleinman, Antonio Ortego).
• Match Equity and cube handling - “How to Play Tournament Backgammon” (Kit Woolsey).
• 7 backgammon variants that cover Blocking Express, Moultezim, Acey-Duecy, Plakoto, The Game, Ktipito – “Seven Popular Games of Backgammon” (Nicholas Frantzis).
• Cube handling – “Winning with the Doubling Cube” (Peter Bell); “Double… Now? An Authentic Cube Remedy” (James Lortz); “backgammon Encyclopedia Volume I, Cube Reference Positions” (Kit Woolsey); “Dynamic Cube Strategy” (Bruce Roman and Gaby Horowitz); “The Doubling Cube in Backgammon – Volume I” (Jeff Ward).