Improve Your Backgammon (Mindsports) [Paperback]

Paul Lamford (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mindsports | Publication Date: February 1, 2003

Improve Your Backgammon is the ideal book for those looking to advance from the basics and build a better understanding of the intricacies of backgammon. In this book, ex-British champion Paul Lamford follows on from his earlier book, Starting Out in Backgammon, to develop further the strategies needed to master this fascinating game.
* Revolutionary layout allows readers to absorb the key ideas
* Numerous test positions help players gauge their progress
* Explains how strong backgammon players deal with typical problems

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Improve Your Backgammon is the ideal book for those looking to advance from the basics and build a better understanding of the intricacies of backgammon.
In this book, ex-British champion Paul Lamford follows on from his earlier book, Starting Out in Backgammon, to develop further the strategies needed to master this fascinating game.
A revolutionary layout allows readers to absorb the key ideas; numerous test positions are covered to help you gauge your progress; Paul explains how strong backgammon players deal with typical problems.

About the Author

Paul Lamford was the 1993 British Backgammon champion and is currently rated number one in the United Kingdom. He is the author of 100 Backgammon Puzzles and is a frequent writer of articles for the leading backgammon magazine, Inside Backgammon

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Everyman Chess; 1st edition (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857443152
• ISBN-13: 978-1857443158
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars dynamite comes in small packages, January 12, 2007

By 

Karl E. Duzell "a player" (Seattle Wa. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Improve Your Backgammon (Mindsports) (Paperback)

Though its` title says "improve", the book is in part meant for budding experts. Most of the book is geared towards intermediate level players. There is a wealth of information on the doubling cube in match play(very interesting). Money games are not forgotten and Mr. Lamford explains the use of modern computers for both gaming and match play. He also uses exercises to gauge your understanding. Even with parts aimed at experts, it will still teach what needs to be learned to go from mid level to an advanced one, both easily and naturally. The amount of knowledge in this "little" book is unexcelled and NEEDS to be in every players library. the value of this book cannot be understated and is worth far and away more than the few pennies the book costs. May you get the same pleasure I`ve received (or more).
Karl Duzell (real name)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For better player's., November 17, 2008

By 

Joseph B. Gormly "alabama reader" (Lincoln ,Al USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Improve Your Backgammon (Mindsports) (Paperback)

This is a great book for the price. I'm not of the caliber player to benefit from the knowledge in the book yet. I hope to be one day and I'll have this book to help me.

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant explanation of a very complex topic!, November 28, 2011

By 

Jmam "reader" (green village, NJ) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Improve Your Backgammon (Mindsports) (Paperback)

Let's face it. The mathematics of doubling, and of evaluating whether or not to double in money games versus match games, is complex. Complex and counter-intuitive. Weird! This book does an excellent job of explaining these complex topics using carefully chosen examples. Beware, the concepts are not for the faint at heart or for those with an I.Q. of less than 130. But if you are willing to really study this highly technical, mathematical material that is beyond most people's math skills, then you will be on the fast track to being able to survive in tournaments and matches. Backgammon checker play is fairly straight forward. It is the doubling cube that makes the game far more abstract and complex. And believe me, if you do not understand every single word and concept in this book, you may become turned into roadkill at any Backgammon interaction that involves the doubling cube, and you simply will not know why you lose all the time! This book may hurt your mind psychologically if you try to learn it, but you will need to do that if you want to enter the Backgammon tournament world and survive.