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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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Kim Huckins
Lexington, US
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Freida does it agai!
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I loved everything about this book. I love that every book Freud's writes, I am never right about the ending there is always an amazing totally unexpected twist that blows your mind! Highly recommend to EVERYONE
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Rhea
Houston, US
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4.5 stars!!!! Mrs. Freida McFadden Fans!!! This book was soooooo good!!! I started reading last night thinking I will read a few chapters before bed. Well, it is 2am 😊 so, I couldn’t put it down. All the characters are despicable…but it a good way. I had this one figured out; I did, and BAM! No I didn’t…then, twist after twist after oh s*** twist!!! Poor Ezra…sweet little Teddy….the rest, all despicable, but like I said; in such a wonderfully twisty way!!! Naomi husband decides out of nowhere he wants a divorce. She later finds out there “is” another woman; Veronica. Their son Teddy gets shuffled back and forth from Jeremy's house to Naomi’s apartment, and……
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E.M. Bristol
Pawtucket, US
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Addictive as almond M&M's
Format: Paperback
I once read a book that blew the whistle on the abuses in the system that produces young elite figure skaters and gymnasts. One mother said of another mother that she was very likeable, but she'd cut your throat behind your back. That describes a lot of Freida McFadden's heroines (and their besties) to a t. At least one of the following always occurs in these novels. 1. If someone says, "Eh, I'm sure it's nothing," it's not. If someone believes their husband is too busy working to have an affair, he isn't. If someone suspects a knife is missing from the block, it is. 2. If a child or teen bitterly complains of being a victim of peer conflict, there's a good chance he/she is the instigator. They may even have committed or assisted in a murder in the past. 3. At some point, you will be told point blank that the character you have just spent a good chunk of the book with is the polar opposite. And even if you're familiar with the books, it may come as at least a partial surprise since this doesn't occur in most novels. 4. Everyone in the book has a secret, even if it's just hair dye. 5. There's also what I call the "Cold Case" rule: Don't argue near stairs. Ever. But I digress. At first, happily married to a great guy Naomi Roth doesn't really protest when her husband Jeremy, after having changed the locks, insists that she go and stay at the apartment he bought for his now-deceased parents. She believes, despite a few stray doubts, that he is telling the truth when he says that it's just renovations and that it will be better this way - and he's even thoughtfully packed for her. However, soon after that, Naomi is told in no uncertain terms that Jeremy wants a divorce, which makes her a pariah with her fellow mothers, except one. Is her husband having an affair, and if so, what secrets does his mistress have? And who the heck committed the murder in the preface (there's almost one in every book, so it isn't much of a spoiler)? As always, the author makes writing fiction look effortless, which if you've actually sat down to write some, know it usually isn't. Another addictive read.
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Terri R
Fort Morgan, US
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a life in letters
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What a moving story. I thought I would be bored reading someone’s correspondence, I was not. This is a well written, interesting and moving book. A life in letters. Loved it.
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Frank Mathews Jr.
Port Orchard, US
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Heartwarming & real!
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Life can be so difficult ...this story is about learning that we all make mistakes along the way, doing the best we can. Its about learning to forgive ourselves. Beautiful.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2026

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