Backgammon (Edición en español)

by Paul Magriel, Renée Magriel Roberts, Julian Bassotto (Translator)

Harwich Port: Clock & Rose Press, 2014. Primera edicion en espanol. 8vo. Encuadernado en tela, 468 pp. Backgammon es la obra mas reconocida en la materia, a menudo referida como "La Biblia" del juego. Escrito entre 1973 y 1976 por Paul Magriel y Renee Magriel, Backgammon fue el primer libro en explicar de forma clara el funcionamiento interno y el desarrollo posicional avanzado del juego. Los aspectos mas importantes de juego son divididos en sus elementos esenciales y luego explicados paso a paso con un enfoque unico y facil de entender. El libro es enriquecido por 600 diagramas claros y precisos, un glosario y tablas, incluidas las probabilidades de apuestas. Para todo jugador con intenciones de abordar el juego seriamente y pretenda jugar bien, Backgammon es una guia indispensable. La nueva edicion de 2004 incluye el prologo de Renee Magriel Roberts: un vivido detras de escena que ilumina al hombre detras el nombre "X-22" y describe la creacion del libro. Despues de haber superado la prueba del tiempo durante mas de un cuarto de siglo, Backgammon todavia es el mejor y mas ampliamente recomendado manual de instruccion y obra de referencia tanto para principiantes como para expertos. Esta nueva edicion incorpora revisiones realizadas desde 1976 incluidas en la edicion en ingles de 2004, la seccion de rollouts y revisiones de la edicion en aleman de 2012, asi como correcciones realizadas para la edicion en espanol de 2014."

Genres: Games, Nonfiction

440 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.