Backgammon For Dummies^®

by Chris Bray

• ISBN13: 9780470694565
• ISBN10: 0470694564
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-11-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

A comprehensive and fun guide to Backgammon!Backgammon is one of the oldest games in the world, the origins of which date back some 5000 years - and it's still going strong. It enjoyed a huge resurgence in the 1970s, and then again in the 1990s with the popularity of the Internet, where millions of people play tournaments online every day. Today, backgammon's following in the UK is huge, with a dedicated British Isles Backgammon Association, and hundreds of face-to-face tournaments taking place across the UK every year.In this book, backgammon expert Chris Bray walks you through the basics of setting up a board, opening strategies, middle and end-game tactics, and tips on when to make key moves. You'll also get to grips with basic probabilities, the doubling cube and the 25% rule. And if you want to take your gaming further, there's plenty of advice to get you started in tournament backgammon, as well as playing online.Suitable for both beginners and experienced player looking for more tips and techniques, Backgammon For Dummies includes coverage on: Starting and Playing the Game Handling the Middle Game Bearing Off (The Last Lap) Varying the Play About the authorChris Bray is a journalist, and writes a weekly backgammon column for The Independent newspaper. He has been on the London backgammon scene for the last sixteen years playing and has also put his skills to good effect on the European and US tournament circuits.

Table of Contents

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.