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. podcastClick to listen. Alt click to download 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? eXtreme Gammon http://www.extremegammon.com/Kit Woolsey, "Backgammon Encyclopedia Vol. 1" http://amzn.to/2AsWOoyKit Woolsey, "Backgammon Encyclopedia Vol. 2" https://thegammonpress.com/product/the-backgammon-encyclopedia-volume-2/Woolsey convention: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woolsey_conventionKit Woolsey, "The Language of Bridge" http://amzn.to/2nrOaUoKit Woolsey, "New Ideas in Backgammon" http://amzn.to/2ihyQUNHow to Play Tournament Backgammon” http://amzn.to/2nsUuLePaul Magriel “Backgammon” http://amzn.to/2iNH1w7