Conquering Backgammon - 2nd Edition Hardcover – March 1, 2019

This quality read may be the ultimate contemporary book on Backgammon. It is a beautiful book, well-made, nicely bound, nice hard cover, with high quality printing and paper. The fonts are rich and black, and easy to read ( for my aging eyes!). It's nice to see a well planned book that has the reader in mind! Graphics are in color which adds additional dynamics to the text.The first half of the book (Vol I) "Refines the Basics", and that is just what it does. It introduces the basics with much more depth, along with additional subjects like "Probabilities", and applying them in determining the most effective moves. The second half discusses "Game/Playing Tactics", with a chapter and in lengthy discussion on "Doubling Tactics"-- which I have never seen so well explained. Plenty of great illustrations are used throughout the book to aid in the discussions.Lots of great reference material to go back over time and time again.A must have read if you want to improve your game!Joseph

First of all, the quality of the book is notable: the graphics, diagrams, paper, and overall sturdiness of the hardcover edition are first rate. It's a book you can look forward to referencing years into the future.The positives: in terms of both content and visual presentation of content, it's two volumes in one book.The first "volume" covers concisely in ~100 pages the basics. Other reviewers have listed content; in brief you'll learn basic probability as applied to backgammon, opening moves, and other topics covered in a very informative manner. There are other equally good primers; none better.It's volume two that sets this work apart from the books I learned the game from (Magriel, Robertie, Jacoby et al.). This volume is a far more advanced analysis of key aspects of the game tied to computer analysis leading to quantitative assessments of moves and positions. The author introduces the concept of "equity" to assess the quality of individual moves and resultant positions. Extensive use of computer analysis results in a quantified analysis of resultant positions. This analysis is especially attractive to those comfortable with descriptive statistics; a merely good move is differentiated from a "game breaker" move via objective data. It is in this sense that this book differentiates itself from other helpful, more qualitative books. Other books, including those by the authors listed above, are very helpful, and will remain in my library for reference and guidance.The author refers the reader to books and articles by other authors, pointing the reader to additional resources. This is a feature not often found in any instructional books, regardless of the game or skill addressed.The appendix that addresses "best opening moves after the initial move of your opponent" is exceptionally helpful, and missing from other books I have read.On the down side: (1) There are a large number of errata in the first printing. Most are obvious, and easily corrected.(2) The initial response to all the tables, descriptive statistics, and mathematics might dissuade readers. The inside of the back cover, for example, includes tables of statistics most readers have never heard of. Many enthusiasts of the game may never have interest in some of the tables. Think of this book as a banquet; take from it what suits your taste, and leave the rest for a possible later encounter. There's enough here for a lifetime of pleasure attempting to master this game.My bias is toward objective analysis. This is my "go to" source re backgammon.

"Conquering Backgammon" is a teaching textbook, writed in an academical style (with a lot of lexicon and bibliographical references). Infact it considers all the previous bibliography.It contains all the theoretical knowledge you need to achieve in order to become a serious player. After the theory has been explained, a lot of examples helps to understand the concepts. Reference positions (to be memorized!) complete the chapters as usefull tools. Every position was analyzed by computer program and nice, coloured and usefull diagrams helps to understand notions and concepts.There are also exercise to test the status of your path to advanced play.You need a lot of time to learn everything explained in this textbook, but surely "Conquering backgammon" is a must for palyers of all levels. Also professional players may find in the book interesting positions that can match their knowledge of the game.

It's a fabulous hardcover. The inside cover is a chart covering the opening rolls recommendations. The instructional information is excellent and my highlighter was almost dry by the time I finished the book. One star off for being a little "mathy" which isn't my thing, but may be yours. This is generally on all of the recommended backgammon books to read and I don't disagree.

Conquering Backgammon is a clear, fun-to-read backgammon guide for beginner through advanced players. This book covers it all: starting with the rules of the game and probability, it goes on to basic and advanced lessons on strategy, use of the doubling cube, and match play.All topics are explained and reinforced with color illustrations of board layouts and moves. Typically, each scenario suggests more than one possible move, along with a description of the pros and cons of each move. As a visual learner, I found the illustrations to be extremely helpful.The second half of the book explains several more advanced concepts, and includes series of problems to further enhance learning. The problems and answers are illustrated and explained in a way that that is logical and understandable.This book made me feel as though I were sitting down with a backgammon guru, being taught the ins and outs of the game. I still sometimes find it hard to resist a wild, bold move; but Conquering Backgammon has taught me to realize when I can take risks, and how to just play 'smarter.'