Starting Out in Backgammon

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 is a terrible book. It doesn't accomplish what it purports.The back cover says, "Learn backgammon from scratch"; "An idealfirst backgammon book for all ages." A bunch of lies. The titleshould be: To Double or not to Double; To Take or Pass. Because that's what this book is about: 95% of it bows to the contemporary player's god -- the doubling cube. Nothing is saidif it doesn't lead to a cube decision. In other words, you don't learn the game, you don't learn tactics or strategy(that should come first!); all you learn(maybe) is to double or not to double.I said 95%. What about the other 5%? Also bad. The author contradicts himself. On page 20 he tells you that when you have to choose between hitting a blot and making a point, you shouldhit. On page 21 there's an exercise where you have to do precisely that. But then you look up the solution and the author advises you to make a point and not hit!! When he's explaining the rules for beginners he tells you that if you have two checkers on one point, your opponent can't move onto it, but he forgets to tell you that this is called "making a point"; laterhe uses this expression, which he hasn't explained. I know that, you know that, but does a rank beginner know that? And it's noton the (poor) glossary at the end of the book either.In essence, if you want to know more about the cube, maybe this book will help you; if you want to know more about the game itself(strategy, tactics), you'd better look elsewhere.

I good primer for those ready to move up a step in the game.

Very nice. It does not look or feel cheap, but it does not look or feel like very good quality, either. Overall, it is very good, which is more than good enough for a portable thing like this.

I was able to play and understand how to play after reading this!! My wife tried to to teach me before but it just did not work!!!

Great introductory book to the game of backgammon.

The book has the basics and includes strategies. Good for the beginner with details about advancing your game. Nice buy!

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 still consider myself a beginner when it comes to playing serious backgammon, this book goes over the basics in a no frills format that is easy to understand. You get clear diagrams and instructions to basic strategy that are relatively easy to understand though I think it would take time to incorporate them into your actual play. It's a very sound book for those, who like me, have fallen head over heels for this incredible game.

Played Back Gammon for many years in Dubai/Bahrain while on tour out there. It wasn`t until I read and continue to read Paul`s book I came realise the in depth meaning of the game. Thoroughly recommend for beginners like myself. I`ve been playing for five years now but never see myself as an expert - the game is amazing thanks to Paul`s book.Stu Harvey

This arrived in the usual excellent manner from Amazon and was used almost immediately, great fun when away in caravan easy to play but difficult to become an expert wonderful value

The quality of the materials used could be improved as the covers are quite flimsy but the content is excellent.

Haven't finished it yet, but it is a good, clear introduction. was expecting to play at Christmas at my nieces' but didn't transpire. However, may seek out a club here in Sheffield, if such a thing exists.