Where to Gain Backgammon Knowledge? Two Books to Get You Started

Even the Scarecrow from "The Wizard of Oz" is smart enough – even before getting a brain – to tell you that if you want to improve in the game of backgammon, you need to seek out the wisdom and experience of others. And of course for many of us, that means hunting for a good book on the subject.

Well, you can find hundreds, if not thousands. So where to start? We will gladly point you to a few to begin your quest for knowledge, the seeker of the backgammon truth. Here is a couple of them for the beginner or novice player to soak in and enjoy, with links to each. The books are from the 1970s, and they still hold their own, so don't let the decade fool you.

The Backgammon Book
by Oswald Jacoby & John R. Crawford
http://www.bkgm.com/books/JacobyCrawford-TheBackgammonBook.html

Even the classics never lose their potency. This was written by 2 of the top players of the day and was credited by many as the book that helped launch the backgammon craze of the '70s. The book features super all-round introduction to the game, including history, chouette play, etiquette, and even info on how to run tournaments.

Backgammon, The Cruelest Game: The Art of Winning
by Barclay Cooke & Jon Bradshaw
http://www.bkgm.com/books/CookeBradshaw-CruelestGame.html

This dynamic backgammon authoring duo gave us this excellent overall introduction and concept piece back in the decade that also gave us some great music. This book will offer you all you may need to know to play a solid game of backgammon. And, yes, there is even a chapter on psychology, for you brainiacs or players who want the mental and social edge, too.

You could read our review of "Backgammon, the Cruelest Game" here