The Backgammon Chronicles: A Pro's Adventures on Tour, Volume 2 of 2
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The Backgammon Chronicles: A Pro's Adventures on Tour, Volume 2 of 2

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The Backgammon Chronicles: A Pro's Adventures on Tour, Volume 2 of 2This 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

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).



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Coup Classique Press
Published: 11/25/2019
ISBN: 9780989549646
Pages: 230
Weight: 1.60lbs
Size: 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.63d
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SKU: 84554876321

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Michael
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 4
Good value for price. Get coarse large grained salt to grind or it comes out fast
Color: Silver, Size: Rechargeable, Color: Silver, Size: Rechargeable
Works good upon opening. Get coarse salt or it will come out fast.
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Lyndsie Smyser
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Incredible quality!!!
Color: Black/Black
We have had these for a little over three months and so far they are still working fantastically. We are amazed at the quality for the price. It makes grinding fresh salt and pepper so easy! Perfect for cooking and topping food.
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Celio Pereira
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Works well, just wish it was rechargeable
Color: Stainless Steel
These grinders work pretty well and are really convenient to use with one hand while cooking. The adjustable coarseness is nice and the LED light actually helps more than I expected. They seem well made and hold a good amount, just wish they were rechargeable instead of using batteries. Still happy with them overall.
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Denise Esau
San Leandro, US
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Great value
Color: Black/Black
Great value,great product,easy to use. Highly recommend. Grinding performance excellent.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026
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IMkirok
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
More than a daily grind
Color: Purple
We are very happy so far, working very well. The grind is even and easy to adjust with a simple turn of the screw on the base of the grinder. The automatic light is a nice feature, especially as I am 66 and my eyes are not what they used to be. Once I turned the on button to face front, I'm no longer triggering a grind just by picking these up. (our last grinders trigger was on the top of the unit}. They feel well constructed and are easy to fill. My wife absolutely loves the color (purple). will update this in a couple months for durability, but for the price so far (1 month) 5 stars
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Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2026

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