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Bill Robertie's "501 Essential Backgammon Problems"

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Scott Steiner

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Jul 29, 2002, 3:37:30 PM7/29/02
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Hi,

having read Paul Magriel's book "Backgammon", I'm looking for the next
step. I was wondering what you people think of Bill Robertie's "501
Essential Backgammon Problems". Would this be the next step I'm looking
for? Also, when solutions to problems are given in this book, how much
in depth does the analysis go? I've read some reviews on the book but
thought I'd ask you people here as well.

thx

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Email replies to following address: bpp at chello dot at

Allen

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Jul 29, 2002, 5:00:50 PM7/29/02
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In article <3D45999E...@nospam.nospam>,

Scott Steiner <nos...@nospam.nospam> wrote:
>Hi,
>
>having read Paul Magriel's book "Backgammon", I'm looking for the next
>step. I was wondering what you people think of Bill Robertie's "501
>Essential Backgammon Problems". Would this be the next step I'm looking
>for? Also, when solutions to problems are given in this book, how much
>in depth does the analysis go? I've read some reviews on the book but
>thought I'd ask you people here as well.

I like Robertie's latest Modern Backgammon instead. 501 is a difficult
read, lots of page turning.

Tore Fredriksen - HP

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Jul 30, 2002, 8:56:04 AM7/30/02
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501 is in my opinion an excellent book for player with intermediate and
stronger backgammon skills. The strength
of the book is that it is cheap, contains a lot positions, and the positions
are well categorized and illustrative.
The only minus is that there are sometimes alternatives which are equally
good to the solutions which is not mentioned.
Also, the analysis is not in-depth, but thats probably a good thing.

"Scott Steiner" <nos...@nospam.nospam> wrote in message
news:3D45999E...@nospam.nospam...

Gregg Cattanach

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Jul 30, 2002, 2:11:32 PM7/30/02
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My opinion about the best 'next step' is Robertie's two volume set: Advanced
Backgammon. It was written in the 80s, some of the answers aren't 'right'
(now that Snowie has taken a turn), but the in-depth analysis of the various
positions is really top notch. The written analysis really helps you
understand 'how to think' about the various positions and situations that
come up.

501 Positions is good, but the analysis is much more brief. His new book
'Modern Backgammon' is absolutely outstanding, but it is aimed at the
advanced to expert player.

In order here's how I'd read the 'basic texts'.

Magriel: Backgammon
Robertie: Advanced Backgammon (2 volume set)
Robertie: 501 Positions
Woolsey/Heinrich: New Ideas in Backgammon
Bagai: Classic Backgammon Revisited
Kleinman: Vision Laughs at Counting (2 volume set)
Robertie: Modern Backgammon

There are other worthy titles, but these are all top notch efforts.

Gregg

"Scott Steiner" <nos...@nospam.nospam> wrote in message
news:3D45999E...@nospam.nospam...

Frank Berger

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Jul 30, 2002, 4:37:07 PM7/30/02
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"Tore Fredriksen - HP" <tore_fr...@non.hp.com> wrote in message news:<ai62d6$dbi$1...@web1.cup.hp.com>...

> 501 is in my opinion an excellent book for player with intermediate and
> stronger backgammon skills. The strength
> of the book is that it is cheap, contains a lot positions, and the positions
> are well categorized and illustrative.
> The only minus is that there are sometimes alternatives which are equally
> good to the solutions which is not mentioned.
> Also, the analysis is not in-depth, but thats probably a good thing.
I agree with that. My only complain is that rollouts would be nice 2
see how good/bad te alternatives are. Naturally the lack of rollouts
forces one 2 judge yourself the explanantion and that may be the best
thing :-)

Ryan Long

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Jul 30, 2002, 7:16:09 PM7/30/02
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Scott Steiner <nos...@nospam.nospam> wrote:
> step. I was wondering what you people think of Bill Robertie's "501
> Essential Backgammon Problems". Would this be the next step I'm looking
> for? Also, when solutions to problems are given in this book, how much
> in depth does the analysis go? I've read some reviews on the book but
> thought I'd ask you people here as well.

Not too in depth, but given the number of problems it's enough. IMO doing
problems is more fun (and more rewarding) than reading theory. It's also
less passive--you're doing, not just absorbing.

Bob Ebbeler

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Aug 1, 2002, 7:46:12 AM8/1/02
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I would add Joe Dwek's BACKGAMMON FOR PROFIT. I found this to be an
excellent "next step" after Magriel.

Bob

"Gregg Cattanach" <gcattana...@prodigy.net> wrote in message
news:oFA19.5754$lw.88...@newssvr15.news.prodigy.com...

Lance Ogasawara

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Aug 1, 2002, 2:41:08 PM8/1/02
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In article <oFA19.5754$lw.88...@newssvr15.news.prodigy.com>,

Gregg Cattanach <gcattana...@prodigy.net> wrote:
>
>Bagai: Classic Backgammon Revisited
>Kleinman: Vision Laughs at Counting (2 volume set)
>Robertie: Modern Backgammon


Can anyone tell me where I can get copies of any of the above books.
I checked amazon and they didn't have listings for them.

Thanks.

Lance

Jon Larsson

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Aug 2, 2002, 3:10:54 AM8/2/02
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I recommend ordering backgammon books from Carol Joy Cole, excellent
service. Find the books and contact information here:

http://homepage.interaccess.com/~chipoint/Boutique.html

There you will be able to find the Bagai and Kleinman books.

"Modern Backgammon" can only be ordered from Robertie himself, see
contact information below:

Gammon Press
PO Box 294
Arlington
MA 02476
U.S.A.
Tel.: +1 781 641 2091
Fax: +1 301 299 7409
E-mail: robe...@world.std.com

Frank Berger

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Aug 2, 2002, 6:21:33 AM8/2/02
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la...@ihlbr2.lucent.com (Lance Ogasawara) wrote in message news:<aibvc4$t...@ssbunews.ih.lucent.com>...
Look at Carol Joy Cole or A&K, they should have them
(search over google or M.Leifer link list or Artr Grater www.back-gammon.com)

ciao
frank

JP White

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Aug 3, 2002, 12:48:32 PM8/3/02
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CJC as others have pointed out is an excellent source for all things BG.
However there is always Ebay as an alternative, you may get lucky and
get a good deal once in a while if you're in no big hurry. I just got
Cooks "Cruelest Game" for $8 off Ebay. Not the best text, but valuable
nonetheless.

JP

--
JP White
114 Dorcas Drive
Hendersonville TN 37075
mailto:jpwh...@bellsouth.net

Tom Keith

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Aug 3, 2002, 4:02:16 PM8/3/02
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Ebay is a good source of backgammon books written in the 70's.
Magriel's "Backgammon" comes up for sale every couple of weeks.
You are less likely to find books there that were written in the
past 10 years. (Though I've seen Robertie's "Backgammon for Winners"
a couple of times--a good book for beginners.)

Tom Keith
Backgammon Galore!
http://www.bkgm.com

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