BACKGAMMON FOR BLOOD

If you're a gamesman, you'll like Bruce Becker's book. This is not a primer; nor a book for a Momma-Poppa player; nor one that methodically instructs in a ""Here's How to Play Backgammon"" like the recent New York Times larger format presentation. Becker likes a slam bang, free wheeling style of play which will make you a big winner or a huge loser. Who cares. Becker is no doubt a very good player and he reenforces his logic and reasoning with endless lists of the odds on the dice rolls. This might slow down the action for some readers were it not for Becker's pleasant and airy manner even where you suspect he's no more a ""nice guy"" when he sits down across the board.