Reply #7: It's only the best two player game ever! [View All]

[pokerfan]

It was insanely popular back in the seventies and I won my share of tournaments in college. It looks trivial at first but it's actually a very subtle game.

Unlike Chess and Go, there's enough luck that beginners don't get discouraged. However, the superior player will win in the long run.

I've read Magriel's book cover to cover several times and I'm still learning from it. Diversity and duplication are just the beginning. Knowing when to take risks and when to play it safe is also key.

I have a freeware backgammon program called Jellyfish on the desktop and another program for the PDA.

A few years ago on Ebay I found a beautiful antique set with a cork playing surface and swirled bakelite checkers. I take it with me to poker tournaments. In case I get eliminated early, I can usually scare up a game.

Oh, and playing with the doubling cube is a must.

Yeah, I'm a backgammon nut.