Hello all!  First post here. 

 I'm kind of new to Backgammon.  I have played every once in while since 2000 on MSN Game Zone but I have never seriously studied the game.  I've decided I want to learn how to play this game. 

 I want to say - I hate losing Backgammon games!  Backgammon rips my heart apart when I lose! I find Backgammon more mean than Texas Hold'em.  Whenever I get hit and sent to the bar I feel like I've been slapped in the face!  And what really makes me made - I get the felling the people who are beating me are little eight year old kids.  After they crush me I bet they laugh how bad I played.  At least that's how I feel. 

 Anyway, I want to learn strategy. Last week I ordered Backgammon for Winners by Robertie.  It hasnt' arrived yet and I can't wait to get it.  I hope it teaches me strategy so I can stop getting slapped around!  lol 

 I've also printed out the basic openings and have started memorizing them. I got out an old Backgammon board I had around the house and started using it to help me memorize openings.

   I have to admit, when I look at Backgammon from a distance it looks like a simple game.  But when I try to play seriously I realize it's a very complicated and detailed game with many levels. 

 Last week I download Play65.  I've won some and lost some on the play money site.  They gave me 2.00 as a sign up bonus.  I lost .50, then won .50 (actually .47 or something), then lost .50, and last .50 again.  They wiped me out. 

 I've also been messing around with Fibs for the first time ever.  I've been playing with three our four different interfaces trying to find one I like. 

Also, while playing on Play65 I noticed many players from Asia and South America. Is Backgammon an extremely popular game outside the U.S.? 

Anyway, any recommendation for a beginner who wants to learn this game seriously? 

Thanks!

 Thanks.  Ugh,  This game really burns me.  Ever since I started memorizing those opening moves I haven't won a game.  Maybe I should stop reading any websites and just play for fun until I get my book.   

You'll find a list of recommendations on how to improve your backgammon at http://www.hardyhuebener.de/engl/besser_werden.html.

Regards,

Hardy   

I've noticed a bot on the server and also a tournament bot.  How does one play with the regular bot?  I invite it to a one point match but get no reply.  Do you have to have a certain rating to play it or something? 

 It says PlayBotBunny.  Where the icon is for male or female there is a computer icon.  I assumed this was a bot.  Is it a real person? 

khona:

Most playing bots on FIBS but not all have "bot" in their handle.  Some play one pointers, some won't, some require experience (play on FIBS) some don't.  Many bots will respond to a "tell", as in, "tell xxxbot hi" or "tell xxxbot help".  TourneyBot and RepBot are non-playing bots with supervisory functions, and not really official FIBS, but both will respond if you tell 'em "help".

I suspect many CS students create playing bots, but you take what you can get.  My advice to you is simply to complete all of your matches on FIBS and have fun.

--
don

 Just won my second three point match!  Yippeeee! 

 Tell me - how much luck vs. skill is involved in Backgammon?  If I was going to play an expert like Bill Robertie in a 1 point each game (first to 5 wins) would he crush me in every game or would I have a chance? 

 How can I  enjoy this game when I get crushed like you crushed me! lol

 I just finished reading my Robertie Backgammon for Winners book.  It was ok.  I think I'm going to go after the Backgammon book by Magriel next.