Books For many years I played backgammon by a beach. I played for the fun of it, as a way of meeting people and it gave me the chance to drink and smoke whilst doing so. I didn't care to look into the techniques of it all too deeply - that would only mar the fun of it. I had taken my Maths O level 6 times - and failed it 6 times. So I had got to the stage where I just didn't care about mathematics anymore  Besides I would mostly use backgammon as a way of meeting people and this would often involve me showing them the basics of the game - so, as the tutor, I needed no further tuition as my knowledge was ahead of those I was teaching. I even urged new players NOT to read books on backgammon because this would turn them into Anoraks. Yes, I've seen folk get real serious about "which is the best play" and, well, they became, in my opinion, boring people. Sorry. I like to laugh and joke. Sure, I can get serious about Geography, Philosophy, Peoples, Music, History but Maths (and the three sciences for that matter) turn me off. However, since setting up Backpacker Backgammon Boards, I have been mixing in circles of serious players - World Class Players - those who make a living of those playing this game, winning cups and money and "doing the backgammon circuit."      When they deem to play me, or rather have to in a tournament, they thrash me ! Having previously derogatorily termed them Anoraks it came as a surprise to me to discover that I am a Wet Jumper.  A friend of mine, Liz Barker (a.k.a. Cassie25) started playing backgammon 1 year ago. She started on this new forum: the Internet. She is also passable good at Maths. The Internet is a far cry from a beach environment. Therefore she viewed the game with a very different outlook than I had. Within a short time she read a book on backgammon. She has attended 3 major tournaments in the last 2 months and has shone brightly at all of them.  The book works. It is: Starting out in Backgammon by Paul Lamford. Click here to read what Mark Driver, backgammon journalist who writes on GammonVillage, has to say about this book Prices (including postage & packing): United Kingdom: = USD $15.00 or £7.00 Sterling European Union: = USD $17.00 Rest of World: = USD $20.00 We accept online payment by credit cards via BUY IT ! Tradenable save and secure (formerly I-Escrow) or by United Kingdom cheques. N.B. I'm just starting it. My Wet Jumper is hanging up to dry and may go into storage soon. The book has a waterproof cover ! Home | Top MikeMadMonk@backpacker-backgammon.com