The world's first choose-your-own-adventure backgammon book.
500 real positions, woven into one continuous game. You make the play, follow it to the consequence, and rewind whenever you want to see the road not taken — with full computer analysis at every fork.
With over 500 positions, how could they all be from one game? Because they are — every position in Rigged Dice connects to the next, branching every time you make a choice. Take back a move, explore an alternative path, and see exactly how it all unfolds. Learn from your mistakes, and discover what might have happened if you'd played it differently.
The dice are certainly rigged — rigged for excitement and engagement. Every move offers a real decision, and you do not want to play on autopilot. Whether you're an experienced player or you're still developing your game, this unique approach to backgammon will sharpen your decision-making while keeping you thoroughly entertained.
XG computer analysis with the equity differential is included for every single position, so you always find out precisely what a decision cost you or won you. And when you're ready to go deeper, the companion Solution Manual adds further computer analysis and detailed write-ups for every decision in the book.
Built for beginners and intermediates who want real instruction that doesn't feel like homework — and sharp enough that advanced players will find plenty to argue with.
You have never played backgammon like this.
Rigged Dice isn't a collection of unrelated puzzles — it's a single backgammon game, broken into 500 decision points. Each position picks up exactly where the last one left off. At every roll, you're shown the board, given the real dice, and asked to choose your play from a short list of options.
Pick one, and you're sent to the position it leads to — sometimes deeper into a winning plan, sometimes straight into a lesson about why that plan just fell apart. Play it straight through as one long game, rewind to a fork and try the branch you didn't take, or jump around chasing the line that interests you most.
Every position in the book looks like this: the board, the roll, the story so far, and a short list of choices. Click any sample to view it larger.
“An ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC new book, specifically geared to beginners and intermediates.” — Candace MayeronTournament Producer & Organizer, California State Championship
“Very interesting … not like any BG book you or I have ever read.” — Rory PascarTournament Director, Chicago Open, Las Vegas Open, Boston Open & more
Mark is an avid backgammon player. Since 2016, he has been the director of the Portland Metro Backgammon Club, organizing tournaments and study groups. An actuary, a former college math instructor, and a grad school drop-out (ABD in Philosophy & Cognitive Science), he combined his understanding of how people learn with liberal assistance from modern neural network-based programs to develop this unique approach to improving your game.
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500 interconnected positions, one continuous game, full XG analysis throughout.
Buy on AmazonReady for a deeper understanding? The Solution Manual adds further computer analysis and detailed write-ups for every decision in the book.
Buy on Amazon