Backgammon for Serious Players Paperback – February 15, 2003

Can't say I learned much. Wish there would have been greater emphasis on odds and probabilities of exposing oneself to a certain range from the opponent. Not very insightful except as to encouraging me to take greater risks than I normally would have.

Bill Robertie takes five games played between top world class players. He goes through move by move, analyzing good (and sometimes poor) play, and contrasting moves made with other potential choices. Occasionally he will summarize comments made in regards to a particular strategy or situation and codify them into a type of rule or general law. That's it for the book!Nonetheless, in doing so he is able to get inside the thinking of the top pros in a wide variety of positions, going into all phases of play from opening to doubling to bearing off. Generally well illustrated, the book is best used by replaying the games and questioning yourself as to how you might play a roll, then comparing with what took place and why. You will find your understanding of deeper backgammon strategy and play deepening with each rereading. Just to get you thinking 'beyond the race' makes this book a valuable addition to your gaming library.

I love backgammon and have played for over 35 years. I've almost gone blind reading so many backgammon books. Having said that, I'm not a tournament player nor do I consider myself a master player. I'm a good solid player that just likes the game. Robertie, to me, is one of the best backgammon authors out there because of the way he presents the material. Backgammon For Serious Players is for someone who knows how to play and has some background in losing. Robertie teaches you not so much how to win, but rather shows you how not to do stupid stuff that makes you lose; simple strategic concepts that make the game so much more interesting. Since 2004, I've held over 70 backgammon dinner parties at my home and have taught dozens of folks the joys of backgammon. If you hang around me long enough, or play in the games at my parties, it'll be pretty evident that my suggestion to you to read Robertie's Backgammon For Serious Players might just be really good advice because otherwise you'll get trashed talked right out the door.

Reading the annotated games is a good way to get some insights into what is important in a given position.The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is that I am missing a more in-depth explanation of the more technical aspcets. E.g., how to decide between building a prime or hitting your opponent. The variation of the discussions in the book is limited to snap shot positions and the theoretical side would benefit from an explanation based on positions that were not necessarily in the games commented.I know this would break with the format of the book and that this is an old book, but this is where I think more value is to be gained.

Bill Robertie is an excellent backgammon analyst. Nowadays when computer program's can analyse the positions in detail very fast, it's easy to criticise, but he rarely sets a foot wrong, and there is a lot of insight to be found in this book. Read it with the board in front of you and follow the moves!

I love the material, but I found it a little difficult to follow. Makes it easier if you have a real board in front of you to follow along.

Book is poorly edited and complemented with confusing examples of backgammon moves. So far, I have come across move notations which are wrong! I would not recommend this book to anyone unless they have the patience to take a backgammon board to help them understand the moves.

Not sure I’m liking this book because my partner read it and he is beating the socks off of me at Backgammon!

Good book with some interesting​ games. But too short and I didn;t learn as much as i did from say '501 Essential Backgammon Problems' also by Bill.It's fair to say that Bill's judgement is sound though and you can trust his analysis.

Been playing backgammon for donkeys now and still had plenty to learn reading this book.

Excellent book - does what says on the tin. Lets you into the mind of a seriously exceptional player. Highly recommended.

i hope my grandson will learn from it

OK but still has the library tags on it