Improving your backgammon skill is a long process. You have to play a lot of games in order to recognize situations and patterns over the board. Experience is the cornerstone of improvement but there is nothing wrong by getting a little help from people who already mastered the game. A good way to do so is to read books written by backgammon masters. There are countless books about backgammon on the market, and it is not easy to make a choice. This is the reason why we decided to help you and give you our selection of best backgammon books.
Backgammon by Paul Magriel
This book is considered by many players as the Bible of backgammon. Paul Magriel aka X-22 was the father of modern backgammon theory and his ideas and concepts were revolutionary at the time of the publication of this book. Even if what you will find in this book has been developed by countless others, it is always better to build your backgammon culture from the masterpiece. Backgammon by Paul Magriel should be on the bookshelf of every player around the world.
501 essential backgammon problems by Bill Robertie
This book is the first one I bought myself and it tremendously helped me improve my understanding of numerous situations. Written by two-time world champion Bill Robertie, it covers every part of a backgammon game from opening to bearing off. The explanations are very clear and push you to really think every roll or cube situation thoroughly. The best part about it is that you never really finish this book. I often open it to do some problems in order to keep my mind sharp. I definitely recommend 501 essential backgammon problems for players of every level.
Opening concepts and Engame technique by Michihito Kageyama
Michihito Kageyama aka Michi is one of the most loved and respected backgammon players of the world. As their name indicates, those two books focus on specific parts of the game. Michi helps us make good decisions by teaching us proverbs he invented and the least that I can say is, it works. Soon enough, you will find yourself applying those proverbs on every situation over the board.
Both books are easy to read, and they are often funny because of the intervention of the mascot Nono. If you want to learn how to develop your checkers during the opening phase and to bear off like a pro, Opening concept and Endgame technique by Michi are definitely a sure bet.
From Basics to Badass and Cube like a boss by Marc Brockmann Olsen
Marc Brockmann Olsen is a backgammon grand Master, one the creator of Backgammon Galaxy and also a very respected backgammon author. With his first book « from basics to badass » he guides the new player from the very basic rules to the most elaborate strategies in order to make you a complete player by the time you finish the book. Every part is very detailed and well explained with schemas and more.
In his second book « Cube like the boss, “the grand master teaches us how to handle one of the most difficult parts of the game. When to offer a cube? When to drop it? When is it too good to double? The cube management makes the difference between a good and a great player and this book will help you to see all the strategic implications of your decision. It is definitely one you need to own if you want to reach the next level in backgammon.
