The Bible of Backgammon

admin · Site Admin Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 862

If you haven't already read Paul Magriel's "Backgammon", I highly recommend you do. Every serious backgammon player should read this book. "Backgammon" starts out by giving an introduction to different types of game strategy and then proceeds to deal with almost all of the fundamental points of backgammon play. The pages of this book will give you an understanding of the workings of backgammon strategy and put you at an immediate advantage over an opponent who hasn't had the foresight to read this book. I myself have been using some of these playing tips for years.

Many books on backgammon are written by lesser-known players, but Magriel was at the top of the backgammon world when he wrote it. Additionally he was a distinguished mathematician, which gives him the strategic edge since counting numbers and understanding odds and statistics are a big part of this game.

This book has often been criticized for not spending enough time on the doubling cube and doubling strategy. Many people also think that it is outdated, as it was published back in 1976. Still, I stand by my opinion that the extreme attention Magriel gives to every other little detail of the game makes the book completely worthwhile. Maybe some of the rules of the game have changed, but the strategy and theories behind the game remain the same and Magriel does an amazing job of teaching these strategies.

Whether you are new to the game or have years of experience, Magriel can help bring your game to a whole new level! When I started applying the techniques I learned from Magriel my game improved tenfold. Unfortunately, this book is now out of print so it's a little harder to find than some other books on backgammon. If you look in your local library, used bookstores or on eBay or Amazon you should still be able to track it down.