Starting Out in Backgammon

Hey I've read most of the backgammon books. Some are more comprehensive and some are better in certain areas but this book is the BEST book for a beginner. It is not a simple here's how you play book. It introduces a lot of complex ideas for strategy, doubling, math, and counting pips in a compact book. If you are a fairly new player and especially if you are playing for money with friends or at a backgammon club, then you should read this first---that's why it's named "Starting out in backgammon". Then of course move on to the more advanced books. While you are at it, download GNU Backgammon (free) which has a tutor mode. Backgammon is a lot of fun and if you're going to play, you may as well win when you can.

I am a professional player, and I think that this book is simply the best one available for players who are seriously interested into the game from beginners to advanced players. It is not useful for someone who just wants to know about the rules in order to play occasionally. It contains a lot of important concepts and - compared to many other beginners books - contains nearly no errors. and - its rather inexpensive! Highly recommended

This thin book is packed with useful information. Neural net software has significantly changed the way backgammon is played over the last 15 years, and this book incorporates those lessons in an excellent introduction to the game.Furthermore, this book is the best introduction to the doubling cube that I have encountered. I grew up playing backgammon with my Armenian father. If you are also Armenian, Turkish, or Greek, you may have grown up playing backgammon in your family and already have a strong grasp of checker play but a weak grasp of the doubling cube. Other introductory backgammon books may be too simple for you. They may include one chapter on doubling which explains *how* to use it, but not how to evaluate a position to decide *when* to use it. And if you try to pick up an advanced book (like I did a few years ago before Lamford's book was available), the description of doubling decisions presumes so much prior knowledge as to be virtually unintelligible. This book adequately covers doubling theory at a beginner to intermediate level. Doubling decisions are kept in mind in every chapter of the book, and common reference positions are provided that show exactly when to double and when to take or drop.Finally, the book has great reviews of both neural net backgammon software and of online gaming sites. This alone makes most previous introductory books obsolete.

This book is a must for any beginner at backgammon. Paul's writing style is clear and easy to read, making the most complicated concepts manageable. Each chapter is peppered with warnings and tips highlighting the most important points. The exercises at the end of each section help to make sure you understand and remember what you have learnt. My copy is well worn, but I keep going back to it.

This is a must for beginners at backgammon. Paul's writing style is clear and easy to read, making the most complicated concepts manageable. Each chapter is peppered with warnings and tips, highlighting the most important points. The exercises at the end of each section ensure that you have understood and remembered what you have learnt. My copy is well worn, but my game has changed beyond recognition and I keep going back to it.