Conquering Backgammon - 2nd Edition

Great book. Learned a lot.

First of all, the quality of the book is notable: the graphics, diagrams, paper, and overall sturdiness of the hardcover edition are first rate. It's a book you can look forward to referencing years into the future.The positives: in terms of both content and visual presentation of content, it's two volumes in one book.The first "volume" covers concisely in ~100 pages the basics. Other reviewers have listed content; in brief you'll learn basic probability as applied to backgammon, opening moves, and other topics covered in a very informative manner. There are other equally good primers; none better.It's volume two that sets this work apart from the books I learned the game from (Magriel, Robertie, Jacoby et al.). This volume is a far more advanced analysis of key aspects of the game tied to computer analysis leading to quantitative assessments of moves and positions. The author introduces the concept of "equity" to assess the quality of individual moves and resultant positions. Extensive use of computer analysis results in a quantified analysis of resultant positions. This analysis is especially attractive to those comfortable with descriptive statistics; a merely good move is differentiated from a "game breaker" move via objective data. It is in this sense that this book differentiates itself from other helpful, more qualitative books. Other books, including those by the authors listed above, are very helpful, and will remain in my library for reference and guidance.The author refers the reader to books and articles by other authors, pointing the reader to additional resources. This is a feature not often found in any instructional books, regardless of the game or skill addressed.The appendix that addresses "best opening moves after the initial move of your opponent" is exceptionally helpful, and missing from other books I have read.On the down side: (1) There are a large number of errata in the first printing. Most are obvious, and easily corrected.(2) The initial response to all the tables, descriptive statistics, and mathematics might dissuade readers. The inside of the back cover, for example, includes tables of statistics most readers have never heard of. Many enthusiasts of the game may never have interest in some of the tables. Think of this book as a banquet; take from it what suits your taste, and leave the rest for a possible later encounter. There's enough here for a lifetime of pleasure attempting to master this game.My bias is toward objective analysis. This is my "go to" source re backgammon.

I am the proud owner of 87 different backgammon books. Soon after I purchased it, Conquering Backgammon - the Path to Advanced Play, by Ed Rosenblum, quickly became one of my favorites.The first section of the book, Volume 1, is somewhat of a refresher course for beginners and casual players. Probability basics, how to count pips, when to double, the best opening moves, how to bear in efficiently, etc. are some of the topics discussed. A sample game is given with each roll discussed.Volume 2 is geared towards the more serious, club or tournament player. Just some of the topics discussed are: choosing the right game plan based upon your rolls, timing, duplication, diversification, doubling tactics, pay now or pay later, match play vs. money play, etc.The book is easy to read with lots of examples given, to help drive the lesson home. It is very clear and well organized. To me, it reads as a college textbook, and is just as instructive, if not more so, as Paul Magriel's legendary book, Backgammon.My ONLY gripe is that the board diagrams in Volume 1, the first half of the book, are different than that of the diagrams in Volume 2, the second half of the book. For consistently, visually I think they should all be the same.This book is definitely worth a place on everyone's backgammon bookshelf.

It's a fabulous hardcover. The inside cover is a chart covering the opening rolls recommendations. The instructional information is excellent and my highlighter was almost dry by the time I finished the book. One star off for being a little "mathy" which isn't my thing, but may be yours. This is generally on all of the recommended backgammon books to read and I don't disagree.

I started playing Backgammon (BG) over the last couple of years seriously and it wasn’t until then I realized there is more to the game than moving your checkers around the board and rolling the dice. The first book I got on BG was BG for Dummies by Chris Bray. I thought it would give me a general intro to the game, which it does. Though because I have some knowledge of BG I found myself jumping throughout the book from chapter to chapter. For another $20-25, if I knew then, what I know now, I would have just bought Conquering BG by Ed Rosenblaum and get that same general info and much more with plenty of colorful illustrations as a huge bonus. To sum it up, a thorough intro to the game, but much more in depth w/ some advanced skill intro into Vol. 1. Volume 2 has plentiful explanation of advanced skills and advanced knowledge/theory of the game that I will likely revisit as I believe the information should be carefully reviewed and practiced to understand. Conquering Backgammon by Ed Rosenblaum comes highly recommended as a first book for the modern BG player that has a beginning to intermediate game. My guess is advanced players could find useful information or refresher information within as well.

This is a great book because:1. As well as covering the basics it covers features of advanced play. This means that this will be the only backgammon book that you will need, until you aspire to expert level when you will want to read more specialised texts on niche aspects of backgammon.2. I judge a backgammon book on the amount of notes that I have made. There are pages and pages of really important stuff that you need to learn in this book.3. The book is beautifully presented with easy to understand colour diagrams.4. I love the fact that there are a lot of practise exercises. For example the book teaches you how to count shots, count pips , choose a game plan etc but more importantly gives you practise exercises so that you can reinforce your learning.5. This book was written after the latest backgammon computer software so that you can be confident that it is teaching you the correct moves.