Backgammon has a rich library of instructional books — from classic 1970s texts that defined the game to modern analytical works written with computer assistance. Whether you’re just learning the rules or refining an expert-level game, the right book can accelerate your improvement dramatically.
Key Takeaways
- Backgammon by Paul Magriel (1976) remains the most cited foundational text — often called "the bible" of backgammon
- Bill Robertie's series (501 Essential Backgammon Problems, Advanced Backgammon) is the best intermediate progression
- Modern books written with XG and GNU analysis provide accuracy that older texts couldn't achieve
- Beginners should start with an introductory text before tackling strategy books
- The doubling cube has its own dedicated literature — Take-Points in Money Games by Kit Woolsey is essential
- Most serious players own and have read at least 3–5 of the books on this list
For Complete Beginners
Backgammon for People Who Hate to Lose — Bill Robertie
The most accessible entry point. Robertie explains the rules, basic strategy, and early game concepts without overwhelming detail. Ideal for players in their first month.
Best for: Total beginners wanting a structured introduction.
Backgammon — Paul Magriel (1976)
Despite its age, Magriel’s foundational text remains essential. It introduced the vocabulary and strategic concepts (the golden point, the golden anchor, builder distribution) that all subsequent backgammon literature builds on. Some cube analysis is outdated, but the checker play is timeless.
Best for: Beginners who want a thorough, classic grounding in the game.
Instant Backgammon — Bill Robertie
A short, practical guide covering the absolute essentials of strategy and play. Quicker to read than Magriel and gets you playing soundly faster.
Best for: Beginners who want to be competitive quickly.
For Intermediate Players
501 Essential Backgammon Problems — Bill Robertie
A quiz-format book: 501 positions with multiple-choice answers and detailed explanations. The best single book for bridging the gap from beginner to intermediate. Each problem teaches a principle.
Best for: Players who know the rules and basic strategy but want to identify and fix errors.
Advanced Backgammon (Volumes 1 & 2) — Bill Robertie
Detailed analysis of real game positions, written at an intermediate-to-advanced level. Robertie explains not just what to do but why the correct play works. Two volumes covering different themes.
Best for: Players who have absorbed the basics and want to go deeper.
Backgammon Boot Camp — Walter Trice
Structured like a course, with chapters building progressively on each other. Excellent on checker play concepts, priming, and game planning. One of the best books written with computer verification.
Best for: Intermediate players who want a systematic, modern approach.
How to Play Tournament Backgammon — Kit Woolsey
Covers match play specifically — score adjustments, Crawford games, post-Crawford play, and match equity. Essential if you compete in tournaments.
Best for: Players who want to compete seriously and understand match play strategy.
For Advanced Players
Take-Points in Money Games — Kit Woolsey & Hal Heinrich
Dedicated entirely to the mathematics of cube decisions — when to take, when to drop, how to calculate take points. Dense and technical, but indispensable for anyone who wants to handle the cube correctly.
Best for: Players who want to master cube theory mathematically.
Vision Laughs at Counting (Volumes 1 & 2) — Nack Ballard & Paul Weaver
Focuses on opening play and early-game strategy at an advanced level. The two-volume set covers the first several moves in extraordinary depth, with computer verification.
Best for: Advanced players who want to master the opening phase.
Woolsey’s Laws for Doubling in Money Backgammon — Kit Woolsey
Woolsey’s practical guide to doubling decisions, distilling cube theory into actionable rules. Easier to read than Take-Points but still demanding.
Best for: Intermediate-to-advanced players working on cube handling.
Backgammon to Win — Bill Robertie
Robertie’s comprehensive single-volume strategy text, covering all phases of the game. More complete than his earlier works, incorporating computer analysis.
Best for: Advanced players wanting a single comprehensive reference.
On the History and Culture of Backgammon
Backgammon: The Cruelest Game — Barclay Cooke & Jon Bradshaw (1974)
Written during the backgammon boom of the 1970s, this book is as much social history as instruction. Covers the game’s revival in New York and London society. Fascinating reading even if some strategy is dated.
Best for: Anyone interested in backgammon history and culture.
The Backgammon Book — Oswald Jacoby & John R. Crawford (1970)
The book that helped spark the 1970s backgammon renaissance. Jacoby and Crawford were two of the greatest players of their era. A historical document as much as a strategy guide.
Best for: Enthusiasts who want to understand the game’s modern roots.
Recommended Reading Progression
| Stage | Books to read |
|---|---|
| Complete beginner | Magriel’s Backgammon OR Robertie’s Backgammon for People Who Hate to Lose |
| Building intermediate skills | Robertie’s 501 Essential Problems, Trice’s Backgammon Boot Camp |
| Tournament preparation | Woolsey’s How to Play Tournament Backgammon |
| Cube mastery | Woolsey & Heinrich’s Take-Points in Money Games |
| Opening depth | Ballard & Weaver’s Vision Laughs at Counting |
Books vs Software: Which is Better?
Modern software (XG, GNU Backgammon) can analyse any position more precisely than any book. But books still offer something software cannot:
- Structured explanation: Books explain why a move is correct, not just what the best move is
- Curated positions: Authors select instructive positions that teach broad principles
- Narrative: A good author explains the thinking process, not just the answer
- Accessibility: No computer needed
The best approach is both: study books for principles and context, use software to verify and drill specific positions.
Where to Find These Books
- Amazon / AbeBooks: Most are available used at low cost
- The Backgammon Galore library (bkgm.com): Free online reviews and excerpts
- GammonLife.com: Reviews and recommendations
- Many titles are out of print but easily found second-hand
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best backgammon book for beginners?
Paul Magriel’s Backgammon (1976) is the classic starting point. For something shorter, Bill Robertie’s Backgammon for People Who Hate to Lose gets you playing soundly faster.
Is Magriel’s Backgammon still relevant?
Yes — the checker play principles are timeless and are still referenced by top players. Some cube analysis is outdated (pre-computer era), but the rest holds up perfectly.
How many books do I need to become good?
Realistically, 2–3 books covering different aspects (basic play, cube handling, match strategy) plus consistent software analysis covers the key ground. More is better but not required.
Are there any free backgammon books?
Some older texts are in the public domain or freely available online. The Backgammon Galore website (bkgm.com) hosts hundreds of free articles that supplement books.
Do I still need books if I use XG or GNU Backgammon?
Books teach principles and reasoning; software teaches specific moves. Both together are more powerful than either alone. Most serious players use both.
What book covers the Crawford Rule and post-Crawford strategy?
Kit Woolsey’s How to Play Tournament Backgammon covers match-score-dependent strategy including the Crawford Rule in depth.
Further Reading
- Backgammon Software & Apps — Digital tools to supplement your study
- How to Improve at Backgammon — Study habits and improvement strategies
- Famous Backgammon Players — The authors behind these books
- Backgammon Strategy Guide — Core strategy concepts
- Backgammon Glossary — Terms used in backgammon literature
Sources & References
All books listed are verified published titles. Publication details:
- Magriel, Paul. Backgammon. Quadrangle/New York Times Book Co., 1976. ISBN 0-8129-0615-0.
- Robertie, Bill. Backgammon for Winners. Cardoza Publishing, 2002.
- Robertie, Bill. 501 Essential Backgammon Problems. Cardoza Publishing, 1997.
- Robertie, Bill. Advanced Backgammon (Vols. 1 & 2). Vision Press, 1991.
- Trice, Walter. Backgammon Boot Camp. Fortuitous Press, 2004.
- Woolsey, Kit. How to Play Tournament Backgammon. Gambling Times Press, 1993.
- Jacoby, Oswald, and John R. Crawford. The Backgammon Book. Viking Press, 1970.
- BGonline.org — Community-curated book reviews and recommended reading lists.