Overview

"This volume rejoins the backgammon epic in mid-2011, just as its carnival years were winding down. The projects of online money backgammon and television series on the poker model were failing; and with their demise a new landscape came in to view: drawn in deeper hues, it revealed a backgammon geography with centers of power in Japan, Denmark, Turkey and the United States and a re-imagination of the game itself--from its traditional role as a gambling recreation to that of a true mind sport--with a player's excellence no longer judged by his ""earn"" but by the rating assigned him by artificial-intelligence programs (""bots"") that were stronger than any human. A hustler no longer, the hero of the second decade of the 21st century emerged as a dedicated statistical scientist, training with the same AI that would judge him in his noble quest for backgammon truth. This fresh paradigm led to the staging of several exceptional events, the most eminent of which was an annual team match that pitted Denmark against ""the rest of the world."" This might sound like an unfair contest, but it was hardly so, for that small Scandinavian nation was undoubtedly (for reasons carefully explained in Chronicles) by far the world's strongest. The author made the World team four times, in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015, and did his best to record not only the decisions that were eventually made by the teams but also the passionate debates that led to them. Disciples of the analysis programs that these masters of the game may have been, they were far from robotic themselves--and this volume faithfully reproduces some of the fascinating ground-zero interplay, under terrific pressure, of visceral emotion and brilliant intelligence. To further emphasize the players' humanity: when at last they could not agree with one another, they frequently relieved the tension with bets! The author followed the tour as it continued with new sponsors and destinations. His travels took him to Gibraltar, the legendary British fortress at the southern tip of Spain that has lately become a gaming and offshore banking haven; to the exotic Black-Sea republic of Georgia, where, as in most Middle-Eastern countries, backgammon is the national game, played by everyone--young, old, rich, poor, male and female; and to North Cyprus, which nowadays is to nearby Islamic lands something like what Cuba used to be to the USA: an offshore refuge for gamblers whose preferred recreations are prohibited at home. And the island's casinos treat their customers as Vegas did theirs 40 years ago: with cheap rooms, 24-hour buffets, and open bars where the free alcohol never stops flowing. The weather is fine, so it's no surprise that the turnout for Cyprus is always huge. Full disclosure: though contrary to the author's principles, this volume contains a baklava food-porn photo (there are about 15 varieties on offer every day, all day long)."

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9780989549646

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Reviews

In my 50+ years of experience in the gaming world, I have met many brilliant thinkers, mathematicians, and naturally-gifted players; but few of them are able to express themselves in a way that most mortals, like me, can relate to. Bob Wachtel is an amazing exception, as you will see for yourself when you read this vivid, engaging chronicle of the cut and thrust of life at the very top of the game. You will revel, as I did, in Bob's jousts with the best and brightest, but likewise feel the pain when the Dice Gods--the diabolical rulers of this unique and exciting game--make him their victim. Phil Simborg: Co-founder, TheBackgammonLearningCenter.com; accredited US Backgammon Federation instuctor. As a millennial-generation backgammon player, I've always been aware that I was born too late to experience some of the fascinating chapters in the game's recent history. But now that I've had the opportunity to read Bob Wachtel's delightful memoir, I feel like I'd lived through that era myself! What a storyteller Bob is! Every page was a joy to read. This book is one-of-a-kind, a unique contribution to backgammon literature. Marc B. Olsen, founder and CEO of BackgammonGalaxy.com One of the world's top backgammon players, Bob Wachtel is also a master storyteller, a talented photographer, and a brilliant analyst. This dazzling first-hand account of his journey as the mind sport of backgammon evolved over the last two decades is a must-read for anyone curious about or already in love with the game. Karen Davis: President/Executive Director, U.S. Backgammon Federation.

"In my 50+ years of experience in the gaming world, I have met many brilliant thinkers, mathematicians, and naturally-gifted players; but few of them are able to express themselves in a way that most mortals, like me, can relate to. Bob Wachtel is an amazing exception, as you will see for yourself when you read this vivid, engaging ""chronicle"" of the cut and thrust of life at the very top of the game. You will revel, as I did, in Bob's jousts with the best and brightest, but likewise feel the pain when the Dice Gods--the diabolical rulers of this unique and exciting game--make him their victim. Phil Simborg: Co-founder, TheBackgammonLearningCenter.com; accredited US Backgammon Federation instuctor. As a millennial-generation backgammon player, I've always been aware that I was born too late to experience some of the fascinating chapters in the game's recent history. But now that I've had the opportunity to read Bob Wachtel's delightful memoir, I feel like I'd lived through that era myself! What a storyteller Bob is! Every page was a joy to read. This book is one-of-a-kind, a unique contribution to backgammon literature. Marc B. Olsen, founder and CEO of BackgammonGalaxy.com One of the world's top backgammon players, Bob Wachtel is also a master storyteller, a talented photographer, and a brilliant analyst. This dazzling first-hand account of his journey as the mind sport of backgammon evolved over the last two decades is a must-read for anyone curious about or already in love with the game. Karen Davis: President/Executive Director, U.S. Backgammon Federation."

Author Information

"Currently ranked world #11 on the peer-rated survey ""The Giants of Backgammon"" and Grandmaster 2nd class by the Backgammon Masters Awarding Body (BMAB), Robert Wachtel has been one of the game's elite players for the last 40 years. He is the author of two prior backgammon books--In the Game until the End (1993) and In the Game until the End Vol. II (2014)--and more than 40 journal articles. Robert was the editor of the US Backgammon Federation's flagship magazine, PrimeTime Backgammon, from 2011 to 2019. He is the author of The Language of Backgammon: A Player's Dictionary, a companion volume to The Backgammon Chronicles."

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