Table of Contents
1 Introduction 9
2 How to Use This Book 11
3 Backgammon Tournaments 13
Backgammon Tournaments
Special Rules For Tournament Play
The Major Tournaments
The World Cup's The World Championship
4 Backgammon Notation 21
5 Game 1: Horan vs. Pauen 25
Opening Strategy
Playing for Flexibility
When to Take a Double
The Gammon Factor
How to Save a Gammon
Summary
6 Game 2: Snellings vs. Magriel 63
Playing to the Score
Importance of Connectivity
Playing for an Undoubled Gammon
How to Bearoff
Summary
7 Game 3: Magriel vs. Svobodny 97
Put Your Checkers Where They Belong
Doubling in the Opening
When to Change Plans
Duplication
Back Game Strategy
Creating Shots
Doubling After a Back Game
Bearing Off Strategy
8 Game 4: Sylvester vs. Snellings 138
Splitting in the Opening
Using Checkers Efficiently
Building a Prime Quickly
Making the Right Moves
Killing Numbers
Grouping Numbers Together
Safely versus Gammon Chances
9 Game 5: Robertie vs. Harris 173
Which 5-Point?
To Hit or Not to Hit
Bold Play versus Safe Play
Recirculation
Back Game Strategy
Mopping Up
Attacking a Stripped Point
10 Next Steps 214
Becoming a Better Player
Backgammon on the Internet
11 Glossary 216
