Backgammon For Dummies

Your step–by–step guide to becoming a masterful backgammon player Backgammon is an exciting, tactical game, and this straightforward book enables newcomers to get in on the fun, as well as providing expert advice for the more experienced player. Fully illustrated, it′s packed with opening strategies, middle– and end–game tactics, tips on how to make key moves, and advice to get you up to speed on dice probabilities. You′ll be hooked in no time! The basics of starting play — Set up your board, get to grips with the rules and tactics of the game, and make the opening move Move smoothly into the middle game — Work out basic probabilities, apply the 25 per cent rule, and raise the stakes with the doubling cube Bearing off into the last lap — Discover key ′no–miss′ positions and master complex endings Cast your gaming further afield — Compete in tournaments, pit your skills against a computer, and play live games online Open the book and find: The 36 possible outcomes that rolling two dice produces Over 50 illustrations of a backgammon board highlighting key tactics and rolls of the dice Definitions of backgammon–speak, from anchors and builders to a lover′s leap Strategies to apply to each type of middle game Advice on playing against computers and online opponents Useful backgammon resources to help refine your game further

Introduction. Part I: Starting and Playing the Game. Chapter 1. Tackling the Basics of Backgammon. Chapter 2. Playing the Game. Chapter 3. Looking at Basic Backgammon Tactics. Chapter 4. Making the Opening Move. Part II: Handling the Middle Game. Chapter 5. Upping the Stakes by Doubling. Chapter 6. Progressing to Advanced Doubling. Chapter 7. Planning Tactics for the Middle Game. Chapter 8. Discovering Strategies. Part III: Bearing Off (The Last Lap). Chapter 9. Bearing Off without Contact. Chapter 10. Bearing Off Against Contact. Part IV: Varying the Play. Chapter 11. Looking at Complex Endings. Chapter 12. Entering the Chouette. Chapter 13. Playing Tournament Backgammon. Chapter 14. Using Computers and Online Play. Part V: The Part of Tens. Chapter 15. The Ten Commandments of Backgammon. Chapter 16. Ten Useful Backgammon Resources. Index.

Chris Bray has been playing backgammon for over 30 years, and started writing a weekly backgammon column for The Independent newspaper in 1994. A regular fixture on the London backgammon scene, he also takes part in tournaments around the world, and regularly gives seminars on backgammon and sports psychology.