Backgammon

by Paul Magriel

2004 edition with a new foreword by Renee Magriel Roberts. Backgammon is the most highly-regarded work on the subject, often referred to as The Bible of the game. Written between 1973 and 1976 by Paul Magriel and Renée Magriel, Backgammon was the first book to lucidly explain the inner workings and advanced positional play of the game. The most important aspects are broken down into their component parts and then explained with a unique, easy-to-understand, step-by-step building-block approach. The book is enhanced by 600 clear and precise diagrams, a glossary and tables, including the betting odds. For any player who means to take the game seriously and wants to play well, Backgammon is an indispensable guide. This new 2004 edition of also includes a lively behind-the-scenes foreword by Renée Magriel Roberts that illuminates the man behind the name X-22 and describes the creation of the book. Having stood the test of time for over a quarter-century, Backgammon is still the best and most widely recommended and quoted standard instructional manual and reference work on the game for novice and expert alike

Genres: Games, Nonfiction

404 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Matija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magriel's Backgammon is considered the bible of backgammon, a foundation work that every backgammon player who does not wish to remain a beginner forever should read.

This reputation is well deserved. I really appreciated Magriel's concise, to-the-point style and clear explanations. Explained in as many words as are needed to get the point across, but not any less. He is not trying to be entertaining, but rather informative without being dry. Writers of books that need to explain stuff to the reader should learn from Backgammon on how to do it, regardless of field.

I also appreciated the breakdown of the chapters, which is very logical. It builds from simpler topics to more complex ones and from the opening to the endgame. It is a complete work that covers all aspects of backgammon, but there is an area that falls a bit short - the doubling cube.

There is one short chapter dedicated to doubling cube strategy, which barely tackles the subject at all. As Magriel himself says, errors in handling the doubling cube cannot be compensated even with perfect checker play. Of course, as Magriel also says in Renee Magriel's entertaining introduction, the doubling cube is a subject of such complexity that it likely warrants its own book. Still, for a book dubbed the bible of backgammon, lackluster treatment of this subject makes it fall just short of such a high flying moniker for me.

There are some other topics that I felt could do with a bit more explanation and examples, such as the back game. Also, this book was written way before there was (good) backgammon software, in the seventies, and it is likely that some corrections would have to be made (for example, what are the best openings and responses to the opening rolls) from what we have since learned from the bots.

Still, this really is essential reading for any aspiring backgammon player.

[Nick Blasier]

Awesome - improved my game significantly in a really short period of time. Playing with software is a hard way to begin learning, I always felt like I needed more strategic guidelines. This book provided that. Even though some pieces are technically wrong or outdated at a very tactical level, the reasoning behind everything really helps me see the big picture when I play now.

[Richard Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seht gute und vor allem lesbare Einführung in Konzepte und Tiefsinnigkeiten des Spiels. Empfohlen somit all jenen die sich mit Backgammon eingehender beschäftigen wollen.

[James Samarji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Popped

[Serge Pierro · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE classic book on Backgammon. It was the first book that showed me that there was actually strategy and skill involved and not just the "luck of the dice". A must read for the serious Backgammon enthusiast.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended as THE book to read on backgammon, and I can see why. Excellent explanation of strategy and tactics, how to make the most out of your rolls. It illustrates what to do, and why! I've read it once, but need to read it over again!

[Kaj Lampio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good basic book about backgammon. Little outdated today, that's why I didn't give 5 stars.

[Lorettab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for anyone playing the game or learning the game.
For anyone not yet playing the game; try it, you'll like it.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The backgammon bible. Amen.