Podcast – guest Kit Woolsey

Our guest this week is bridge and backgammon expert Kit Woolsey.  We talk about his recent book The Backgammon Encyclopedia Volume 2 as well as some of his stories from years of playing bridge and backgammon at the highest levels.

podcast

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Show Notes

[00:53] The difference between the volumes 1 and 2 of the Backgammon Encyclopedia

[02:27] How helpful the Backgammon bots have been in learning the game

[04:41] Is Kit planning future volumes in the Backgammon Encyclopedia series?

[05:14] Would cube decisions in the book change depending on the proficiency of the opponent?

[08:44] What is the current state of Backgammon in the U.S.?

[09:41] Does Kit team up with other bridge players in big events?

[11:23] What sets apart Kit’s defense to no trump openings

[12:43] Why was Woolsey convention considered illegal?

[18:08] Cheating scandals in bridge

[20:03] How some players cheat at high-level games with dividing screens

[23:03] How to identify cheating in bridge

[25:57] Richard and Kit shuffle tracking in the late 70’s.

[28:41] Kit’s bad barrings from playing Blackjack

[29:27] What is the Alcatraz coup?

[34:37] Does studying one game help studying other games? What other games interest Kit?

[38:07] How is playing bridge with wife affect Kit’s marriage?

[39:15] Backgammon tournament in the Las Vegas area

[40:29] Book recommendations for backgammon tournaments

[43:43] Examples of different plays 30 years ago

[47:01] Do high level games of backgammon and bridge require a genius level intelligence?