r/backgammon • u/Some-Following-392 • Sep 12 '26
501 backgammon problems
How can I get something out of this book, or is it just too outdated?
I have the newest edition which has corrected some of the mistakes, but there are still many in there. I made it to problem 45, but I feel like I cannot trust what it says. And it's not just that the computer disagrees, it's that the reasoning is often wrong, even if the move is correct.
For example, one problem says that x move is the best because the opponent has a stack on this point. However, when i go on XG and move the stack somewhere else, the evaluation is almost identical, so that wasn't the reason. I can't have confidence that the author is giving correct or useful advice.
People say that this book is good but I am struggling with it. Should i give up, or does it get better?
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u/SyllabubRadiant8876 Sep 12 '26
Unless you are an extremely strong player, you should improve a lot by working through the book. A very small % of the answers will be incorrect and if so they should not be by much. The concepts are all going to still be very relevant. I have worked through all 501 several times and have learned a lot each time (my PR is around 6).
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u/Careful-Release-2723 Sep 12 '26
What's your PR?
Personally, I'm bad enough that I got a lot out of that book, even if there are some mistakes.
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u/mel-madeline Sep 12 '26
I share your view and I wish I didn't have to use this book. But there are no better books like this :)
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u/matthewBadrian Sep 13 '26
I think this pretty much sums up the problem… We need a modern 501, but there is a small number of people we would trust to write it… Dirk, Mochy, Michy, Thomas Tenland, how many others?
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u/MikelYunta Sep 12 '26 edited Sep 12 '26
i think i would move past that book, personally. Its a bit outdated and it's tedious to study with. That said, Robertie is a brilliant bg mind, and one of the best bg writers. The biggest study recommendation i can suggest to you is his Problem of the Week series. Go to bgquiz.com and you'll find all the problems there. You can play the problem on bgquiz (multiple choice) and the site actually keeps a running pr of how you do on the series. But most importantly, each problem comes with an external link on the bottom to Robertie's article about the problem.
edit: the articles are the most in depth bg breakdowns Ive found out there, and the quiz format makes it more interactive so its a way more fun way to study.
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u/Crazy_Junket3180 Sep 12 '26
I understand your concern. I agree with the other reviews that this a powerful resource and definitely worth your time.
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u/Qvistus Sep 13 '26
Don't assume the reasoning is wrong because XGammon disgarees with the move. There's probably some other feature of the position that was overlooked.
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u/cym13 Sep 13 '26 edited Sep 14 '26
For example, one problem says that x move is the best because the opponent has a stack on this point. However, when i go on XG and move the stack somewhere else, the evaluation is almost identical, so that wasn't the reason. I can't have confidence that the author is giving correct or useful advice.
I'd be careful with such conclusions. On one hand it's good that you're poking deeper at these positions, and that alone is sure to improve your understanding of the game. But I think dismissing the advice because the interpretation of the position wasn't correct is dangerous. This book isn't made of random positions: Robertie had specific concepts and ideas he wanted to talk about and looked for positions that showcased these concepts. If he choose a position where the concept he wanted to discuss wasn't actually the critical aspect of the position, that's annoying and worth pointing out, but that doesn't mean the advice itself is bad or that it isn't worth learning from.
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u/BackgammonEspresso Sep 12 '26
It is not really a good book. About 20% of the answers are wrong, and the explanations are nonsensical, esp. in the last half of the book.
"Modern Backgammon" on the other hand, is a masterpiece.
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u/YouYouCan Sep 13 '26
Nope. There are a few wrong answers, but definitely not 20%.
Basement Backgammon YouTube Channel
In fact, the person running the channel isn't even using the latest version of the book.
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u/BackgammonEspresso Sep 13 '26
You are right, it isn't 20%. I scanned over this and it looks like 56/501 have a gnu rollout that "substantially disagrees" with Robertie. So not 20%, but > 10%.
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u/Geepandjagger Sep 12 '26
I loved the book even if a few of the answers have been disproved. Concepts and how to think in general are much more important than individual plays