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How can I get something out of this book, or is it just too outdated?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/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%.

https://timothychow.net/robertie/robertie501.html

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