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Backgammon For Winners (Paperback)

by Bill Robertie (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)


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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Bill Robertie did not become two-time backgammon world champion and one of the greatest players of all time by pursuing a conservative game. He calls his style "dynamic backgammon" and he teaches it in this book, aiming his lessons at the raw beginner as well as experienced players. He starts at the very beginning--setting up the board--and takes the reader through his approach to every element of play. It's an approach that pays off, as his championship record shows. The book is rich with clear diagrams and explanations, with three sample games that illustrate his points well.

Product Description
A backgammon player (and two-time world champion) provides advice on the basics of playing and winning at backgammon.

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 136 pages
  • Publisher: Cardoza; 2nd edition (February 1, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0940685582
  • ISBN-13: 978-0940685581
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,928,002 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #30 in  Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Board Games > Backgammon

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (3)
3 star:
 (3)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A new player's view, July 23, 2004
By Peter A Smith (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I wanted to get into playing backgammon at some of the online sites, but I hadn't played in years. I figured I needed some help so went looking for a book on backgammon and more or less at random picked Backgammon for Winners by Bill Robertie. And it turned out to be a decent choice.

It's a fairly thin book, which I liked. I didn't want to spend 2 weeks reading about the history of the game (at least not right now). Robertie jumps right into the meat of the subject, first giving the rules and a bit of broad strategy as well as best opening moves for every possible first roll of the dice. But the bulk of the book is taken up with three different sample games, and Robertie analyzes each move of each game, giving lots of explanation for why something was a strong or poor move. While he suggests you set up a board and move the pieces yourself, there were enough illustrations that you don't have to do so (I didn't).

By the time you work through these three sample games you'll understand backgammon notation, the different phases/styles of a backgammon game, why control of certain points is more important than others, and you'll even see examples of when the 'rules of thumb' should be broken. He does a good job of urging you to go back and reread a section if its covering difficult material, keeping you from glossing over it with an "I'll figure this out later" shrug.

Overall, I'm thinking this is a good first backgammon book. Recommended.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Good beginner book, April 12, 2000
By A Customer
This book is as good as any for the raw beginner. The great Robertie explains the rules of the game, basic objectives, and opening moves, and then takes you through three sample games. That's about it, and if you're an experienced player you won't learn anything from it you don't know already. On the plus side, Robertie's conversational style is more enjoyable than some of the older beginner books, and he tries to explain things that aren't obvious to the novice (for example, a 5-5 looks like a great roll here, here's why it's not). All in all, a short user-friendly guide for the novice.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Good quick introduction to aggressive Backgammon, January 9, 2003
By William T. Katz (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I've been playing chess since I was a little kid, but a group of friends at the local coffeehouse started to play a lot of backgammon. So this book was a first attempt at seeing how the pros approach this dice-based game.

In short, the book is great if you want a quick read that outlines the best opening moves and gives you a feel for aggressive 'modern' backgammon. In addition to the rationale behind how to use opening dice rolls, the book gives you 3 sample games and lets you hear the pro's thoughts on possible moves. My favorite line is "He could play 14/20, moving the blot on the 14-point to safety, but this is a craven play, unworthy of a modern player." :) How could you not like such opinionated tutelage?? I could have used more exposition on why some seemingly valid plays (e.g. hitting an opponent's blot in your inner table even though its deep) are really less effective. Even better would be some statistical analysis showing why some moves make sense when looking at the odds, but I'm not sure there's such a book out there.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to play better backgammon? Start here!
I learned to play backgammon in college. Then, 25 years later, I started playing again, online. I stunk. I really, really stunk. Read more
Published 16 months ago by NomDePlume

5.0 out of 5 stars Backgammon for Winners, 3rd ed., Robertie
A fine book by an author who obviously knows the game. Has improved my game, but can't help the role of the dice. My wife beats me all the time. Read more
Published on February 17, 2007 by Allan Buttrick

3.0 out of 5 stars Typo Heaven
An interesting book for the semi-advanced player is destroyed by typo after typo, a fault that ultimately drives the reader mad. What's going on in the publishing world?
Published on September 14, 2000 by A. Rudy

3.0 out of 5 stars I guess is great for beginners
I've been playing backgammon tournaments for 2 months now, and while I read the book cover to cover, it left me wishing for something more. Read more
Published on September 15, 1999 by Mariano Gonzalez Vasconcelos (...

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for the starting Backgammon Player
I thought this book might give me a tip or two before reading it but to my surprise it taught me all kinds of opening moves, mid-position and end play moves. Read more
Published on May 20, 1999

1.0 out of 5 stars A great book, worthy of a champion--NOT.
One expected (MUCH) more from a world champion who has written several top-notch advanced books on backgammon. Read more
Published on May 10, 1999

3.0 out of 5 stars Good. Not much depth. But the price is right.
Not very much depth of coverage here. Very solid for a beginner. Some helpful tips for intermediate players. Good value. Robertie gives clear advice. Read more
Published on June 27, 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book for intermediate and higher players
Agressive backgammon. Wimpy players need not apply! I've played backgammon for a number of years, but never in competition. Read more
Published on November 15, 1997 by Paul Bourret

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