If you have a decent understanding of the game then Bill Robertie's 501 Essential Backgammon problems is a very good book that you can pick up for $20. http://www.flintbg.com/boutique.html has a list of books. Magriel is a hell of apoker player and I hear his backgammon books are quite good too.I played backgammon somewhat competitively for a few years. There really is not any crossover skills other than being competitive and able to handle the variance brought about by inherant luck in both. In mu opinion poker is a lot more fun as you have so many characters. Backgammon is dominated by nerd
