I still remember the first backgammon book I bought. The cover was faded, the pages smelled like someone’s old den, and the diagrams looked like something printed during the Nixon administration.
But the advice? Gold.
That book didn’t just teach me how to win—it taught me how to think. About timing. About risk. About restraint. These days, you can learn backgammon from apps, YouTube, or online pros. But books? Books let you slow down. Reflect. Revisit the board between the lines.
Whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate player stuck in a plateau, or a lover of the game’s ancient roots, the right backgammon book will change how you play—and how you appreciate the game.
Here are my top picks for strategy, insight, and a little history along the way.
The Best Backgammon Strategy Books
Let’s start with the heavy-hitters. These are the classics and modern guides that have shaped players for decades.
📘 Backgammon by Paul Magriel (1976)
Why it matters: Known as the “bible of backgammon,” this is the foundational text for anyone serious about learning the game.
Highlights:
- Clear explanations of basic strategy, including primes, anchors, blitzes, and back games
- Practical diagrams and examples
- Written in plain, approachable language
Who it’s for: Beginners to intermediate players. If you only buy one backgammon book, make it this one.
Samuel’s Take: Paul Magriel (aka “X-22”) changed how the game was taught. I still quote lines from this book when I play. It’s that good.
📘 Backgammon for Serious Players by Bill Robertie (1993)
Why it matters: Robertie goes deeper than Magriel, taking you into more complex strategic territory with modern ideas.
Highlights:
- Deep dives into doubling decisions and checker play
- Analyzes real-world positions with expert clarity
- Strong focus on avoiding common errors
Who it’s for: Intermediate to advanced players. Great follow-up once you’ve digested the basics.
Samuel’s Take: If Magriel is the professor, Robertie is the coach whispering in your ear mid-match. His clarity is unmatched.
📘 Advanced Backgammon by Bill Robertie (Two Volumes, 1984)
Why it matters: These two volumes go beyond theory—they’re exercises in deep strategic analysis. Less narrative, more puzzle-solving.
Highlights:
- Hundreds of positional problems and solutions
- Explores complex decisions in contact and race situations
- Great training tool for tournament prep
Who it’s for: Advanced players or ambitious intermediates.
Note: Harder to find in print, but worth tracking down.
📘 Backgammon Boot Camp by Walter Trice (2004)
Why it matters: Offers a practical, focused approach with lessons in checker play, doubling, and the psychology of decision-making.
Highlights:
- Written like a coaching session
- Covers nuanced situations like duplication and tempo sacrifices
- Strong emphasis on thought process over rote moves
Who it’s for: Intermediate players looking to level up fast.
Samuel’s Take: Trice teaches like a drill sergeant—but in the best way. He’ll toughen your game without making it feel like homework.
📘 Modern Backgammon by Marc Olsen (2021)
Why it matters: One of the most comprehensive and up-to-date guides, especially for players who want to understand computer-evaluated strategy.
Highlights:
- Reflects modern backgammon theory and bot-influenced analysis
- Packed with diagrams, examples, and explanations of concepts like equity, volatility, and error rates
- Offers perspective on where strategy has evolved post-Magriel
Who it’s for: All levels, but especially advanced players and those using software to analyze games.
Samuel’s Take: This is the bridge between the old school and the new school. A must-read if you want to play like today’s pros.
Books for Beginners and Casual Players
If you’re not ready for theory-heavy analysis just yet, these titles are great for building a solid base.
📗 Backgammon for Winners by Bill Robertie
Why it matters: A gentle, clear introduction that skips jargon and builds confidence fast.
Highlights:
- Basic principles explained with friendly examples
- Emphasis on real moves and habits rather than deep theory
- Great pace for self-study
Who it’s for: Beginners, casual players, or anyone teaching backgammon to a friend.
📗 Teach Yourself Backgammon by Robin Clay (2001)
Why it matters: Part of the “Teach Yourself” series, it’s structured and simple, with digestible chapters and a beginner-friendly tone.
Highlights:
- Explains rules, terminology, and basic strategy
- Walks readers through common situations
- Covers game etiquette and history lightly
Who it’s for: True first-timers who want to understand the game from scratch.
Books on Backgammon History and Culture
Backgammon isn’t just a strategy game—it’s a story. A story that spans kings, empires, taverns, and tournaments. These books explore that side of the board.
📕 Backgammon: The Cruelest Game by Barclay Cooke & Jon Bradshaw (1974)
Why it matters: Part memoir, part strategy guide, part time capsule of 1970s high-stakes backgammon culture.
Highlights:
- Combines high-level play with colorful storytelling
- Offers insight into the emotional and psychological side of the game
- Explores how elite players think (and break down)
Who it’s for: Lovers of both drama and dice. Strategy-minded readers with a taste for vintage cool.
Samuel’s Take: Reading this is like sitting in a smoky lounge in Monte Carlo, watching someone lose $50,000 with grace. It’s fascinating.
📕 Backgammon: A History of the World’s Oldest Game by Chris Bray (2019)
Why it matters: The most comprehensive English-language history of backgammon—from ancient Mesopotamia to modern tournaments.
Highlights:
- Detailed timelines of regional variants (Tavla, Nard, Tavli, Trictrac)
- Cultural anecdotes and historical documents
- Profiles of key figures in backgammon history
Who it’s for: Historians, cultural nerds, or anyone curious about where this game really came from.
📕 The Backgammon Chronicles by Robert Wachtel (1999)
Why it matters: A mix of narrative essays, analysis, and player interviews from one of the game’s great minds.
Highlights:
- Unfiltered stories from the professional backgammon world
- Combines humor, wisdom, and strategy
- Offers a rare inside view into the life of a backgammon pro
Who it’s for: Readers who love personality-driven writing and appreciate both the math and the madness of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which book should I start with if I’m brand new to backgammon?
Start with Backgammon for Winners by Bill Robertie or Paul Magriel’s Backgammon. Both explain the basics clearly and give you a strong foundation.
Is Paul Magriel’s book still relevant in the age of bots?
Absolutely. While bots have refined the meta, Magriel’s principles remain essential for understanding the fundamentals of position, timing, and safety.
What’s the best advanced backgammon book?
Try Advanced Backgammon by Bill Robertie or Modern Backgammon by Marc Olsen for deep, theory-rich learning.
Are there any books that focus just on the doubling cube?
Many advanced books—especially Robertie’s—dedicate chapters to doubling strategy. But Backgammon Boot Camp also covers the doubling cube in practical detail.
Do any books teach backgammon variations like Nard or Tavla?
Most English-language books focus on Western-style backgammon. For variants like Tavla or Tavli, you may need region-specific guides or translations.
What about digital or eBook versions?
Many of these titles are available on Kindle or as PDFs, though a few out-of-print gems like Advanced Backgammon may require some hunting.
Conclusion
Backgammon is simple to learn but takes a lifetime to master—and a few good books can shorten that lifetime by a decade.
These titles are more than guides. They’re mentors in print. Whether you want to sharpen your cube decisions, learn from the legends, or simply fall in love with the game’s global journey, there’s a book here for you.
So pour a coffee, crack a spine, and let the game teach you through its oldest tradition: words on a page, one diagram at a time.
Books are great for understanding ideas, but improvement really comes from applying them in real games.