This is a practical and informative introduction to the world`s most ancient yet enduring board game, Backgammon. Its hands-on approach starts with the end of game, explaining the object and how to get there. It then goes back to the start to give a step-by-step introduction to moves and strategies, with key tips on what moves to make and when. It offers practical `you try` exercises, in addition to plenty of background information on the rules, the probabilities and the history of the game. Authored by the founder and director of the UK`s biggest Backgammon society, BIBA, it also contains a full glossary and a section on how to play online and how to take it further and will become an essential companion for all would-be players of this fascinating game. SBN: 0340927232 Publisher:Hodder & Stoughton Educational To be published 29/9/2006.£9.99 RRP Paperback |
| Michael Crane - Author |
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| Michael Crane (57) is the Founder and Director of the British Isles Backgammon Association. He has been playing backgammon since 1974 and was a member of the now defunct Backgammon Club of Great Britain. He was also a founder member of the National Backgammon Players Society of Great Britain where he remained a member until the formation of Biba in December 1989.
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With the aid of fellow members, Michael has built the Association into the largest backgammon body in the British Isles. He has considerable tournament directing experience including international tournaments under the guidance of Hercules, the Baron of Culcreuch. He is an acknowledged expert on the rules of play, and has appeared on radio and television several times promoting BIBA and backgammon in general. He edits, contributes, publishes and distributes Bibafax, the magazine of the British Isles Backgammon Association. Michael has been organising and directing backgammon tournaments for over twenty years during which time he has presided over more than 20,000 players in 300+ tournaments. He is one of the most experienced backgammon tournament directors in the world. He is also the Backgammon Consultant to the Mindsports Olympiad for whom he organises and directs their annual backgammon events each August. He is the Backgammon Consultant to the Encarta Dictionary. Self-employed, he works full time for Biba from his home in Lincoln where he lives with his wife, Sharen, who also plays backgammon and is an Assistant Tournament Director. To relax he plays backgammon, reads, walks and holidays as often as he can! His favourite holiday destinations are Carvoeiro (Algarve) and Hisaronu (Turkey) where he plays a lot of street backgammon with his many Turkish friends and family. |
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| Michael is also a bit of writer. If you want to read some of his stuff, click on his photo above and be transported to his writings and rantings! | ||
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| Nowadays
backgammon players have several PC programs that will play the game.
Some are well worth owning, many are not! Two that are highly recommended
are JellyFish 3.5 and Snowie 4. There’s a big cost difference
between the two bots, but this is reflected in the performance and utilities.
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JellyFish
was the first on the scene, but unfortunately it seemed to
grind to halt after Version 3.5 came out. However, it plays a very strong
game and I doubt if anyone reading this will be able to beat it on its
highest levels, no matter how long you practice. It comes in four versions: |
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Available
from: (cheques payable to M Crane) Michael Crane 2 Redbourne Drive Lincoln. LN2 2HG Tel: 01522 829649 Email: jelly@backgammon-biba.co.uk |
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Snowie
4 Pro is a high-quality backgammon program. It is based on
proprietary neural network technology that has been trained to play
as good as or better than the best human players. |
Snowie
1 to Snowie 3 used a special learning technique similar to the TD learning
algorithm published by G. Tesauro. Snowie 4 however, is based on a new
kind of learning algorithm that allows it to play a much stronger game
than the previous versions. |
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Features
of the Student edition and the Professional edition |
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