Customer Reviews

Backgammon

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book lives up to its reputation as a classic. I've rarely read technical books that are so clearly written and so well illustrated. Magriel provides both before and after illustrations for ideal moves, followed by complete explanations for why some moves are better than others. Section one is identical to his "Beginning Backgammon" book, and the rest of the book is for more advanced play. If you buy the book, make sure you are getting this one (405 pages) not the shorter one.

I've not read Robertie's two volume set for backgammon, but I have read his 501 classic backgammon situations. While this is a great book too, Magriel is the better teacher and writer.

Also, there are plenty of reasonably priced used copies of the hardback version of the book. I bought mine through Amazon used books postings for only $ more than the recent paperback re-release.

This textbook revolutionalized backgammon by introducing a set of guidelines for when to play safely and when to play boldly. These rules are the foundation of expert play. This book is essential for all aspiring experts.

This book greatly improved my game, and I recommend it to anyone who wants one of the BEST backgammon books available. Don't let the price put you off. If you budgeted for 2 books, forget both of them and get this one. I've read this for 4 months and still won't loan it out as I still haven't worn the 'new' off of it. Gives basic frameworks and explains more technical areas of the game. This book will drastically improve your game.

I actually have the original hardcover edition of this book when I purchased it in the early eighties (it's still in NM condition I might add). I had purchased many backgammon books in those days (eg. The Backgammon Book; Backgammon for Blood; etc) but this was the main one I referenced time and again and is one of the best book of its kind that came out of the seventies (and there were a lot of them). A professor of mathematics, Magriel organizes the principles and strategies in a very logical manner. He writes in concise non-technical language, breaking down every aspect of backgammon so its easy to understand even when discussing advanced theories of the game. It's been a good 15 years since I've got back into playing backgammon and will probably begin reading some of the latest books out there but I will still be referencing this one.

Magriel's Backgammon took me from a hobby player into a good local competition player. It taught me how to think of the relative value of the points, of different kinds of games, and how to keep the calculator constantly going in the head. It teaches a way of thinking that has not gone out of style. It teaches.

There is more to the game than this book. There are books to explore which add to the thinking, to work out scenarios in which Magriel may not help enough. Doubling is presented but not explored - to become a strong player a book on doubling strategy (and psychology) is essential. And the co-author, his ex-wife Renee, describes in a forward the mistake of calling the opponents's five point "golden" when the neighboring bar point is more valuable as an early goal in games.

However, as a book to start learning the game from, and to develop into a decent player, I know of no equal. Magriel is a teacher and took the time to craft a wonderful book.

Small aside. Shortly after the original book was published Magriel helped an Artificial Intelligence researcher, Hans Berliner, with a Backgammon program. This is the late 1970's. The program - BKG - was brought to Monte Carlo in 1979. Or accessed remotely from the tournament. The winner of the Monte Carlo tournament, Luigi Villa, played the program five games and lost 7-1. The program disappeared. Berliner wrote an article for Scientific American (6/80). And that was that.

For content and freshness after 25 years (when I first read it) this is five stars. I subtract one for it being priced like a college text book instead of a game book.

This book is very readable. The book is layed out in a format that explains each phase of the game in logical order. A player that masters the concepts in this book will be head and shoulders above the average player. The book was written a while back, so is missing a few of the modern theories. This is a minor matter. I recommend this highly to the beginning and intermediate player. It wouldn't hurt advanced players to read this too.

The definitive backgammon book. Can turn a beginner to an expert. Well written, logically organized, with several examples and clear explanations. It is very complete, covering all aspects of the game. I particularly liked that it recommends to the beginner openings that generally lead to uncomplicated games and later (once the reader has become more experienced) switches to openings that lead to more involved game play. I have read several backgammon books, and this is by far the best. Definitely worth its price.

Most backgammon texts from the 1970's seem ridiculous today, but Magriel's "Backgammon" is a notable exception. It presents a well reasoned framework of play principles in a readable style, with plenty of illustrations and 4 complete sample games. Rather than just analyze the positions for you, the former World Champion teaches how to analyze them yourself. Many articles and interviews with today's champions refer to Magriel's work. Greatly improved my winning percentage and understanding of the game.

This book was once the "bible" for serious backgammon players. Although it has been superceded by Bill Robertie's 2-volume "Advanced Backgammon", it is better for beginners. Outstanding.

I had intended to first try to read the other two reviews, but am somehow not sufficiently profieint to access.

I do not know how anyone serious about Backgammon could rate this book any less that 5 Stars. It is perhaps not for the novice or not serious player.

While I've read other books, during the time period in my life when I was very serious about backgammon, playing 3-5 nights a week both gambling and competing in tournaments, this was in fact my Bible. I would often refer back to it to see where I'd gone wrong when I knew I'd been beaten by superior strategy vs. raw luck of the roll.

I directly attribute my stable financial success during the years I played/gambled seriously to this book.

This book both taught me strategies which permitted me to expand my game to respond to both the luck of the dice and my opponent's strategy. Equally or vastly more importantly, it taught me how to effectively use the doubling cube.

I'm thrilled that it is back in print, since the last copy I bought just slightly used for a friend because this was my only choice was rather expensive.