Douglas Zare is a professional mathematician at Columbia University in New York and an expert Backgammon player. He plays online as zare on GamesGrid, FIBS and GameSite 2000. In this column, Doug says, "I will discuss theoretical aspects of backgammon, but not just for their own sake. Better understanding of the theory of the game can help us to play better and to appreciate the game more."

Brooks won the Championship Consolation of the Las Vegas Open (November 2005) and won the Championship of the Los Angeles Open (June 2007). Brooks has authored Backgammon’s Best Opening Plays and produces Quiz Cards and Slides for Bear Off Cube Actions, Pip Counts and 3rd Roll Dance Cube Actions; all available on GammonVillage. Presently Brooks is completing a booklet entitled “Match Dilemmas – The Free Drop” with Ray Fogerlund of Bakersfield, California.

Steve Sax, Backgammon Giant #20, joins our editorial team as a weekly columnist with information to help Intermediate and Advanced players reach the Expert and World Class levels. Steve's mother, Ricky Sax, was the Women's U.S. Open Backgammon Champion of 1980 and taught Steve the fundamentals. Steve was the top ABT player in 2002 and has won many other events in the past.

We are pleased to welcome Mr. Walter Trice to our editorial staff. Walter is one of the top players in the world and will write a monthly column annotating top-flight matches played at live events. He is also co-author with Jake Jacobs of "Can A Fish Taste Twice As Good?". Walter is the #35 Giant of Backgammon on the Yamin Yamin's International Ranking List, plays online as trice and live at the New England Backgammon Club in Somerville, Massachusetts.

We are honoured to welcome Mary Hickey to our editorial staff. Mary has been the Player of the Year for the Ohio State Backgammon Club from 1997 through 2004, and for the Greater Columbus club for 2005. She was the Ohio State Masters tournament champion in 2002, 2003, and 2006. Her articles on Backgammon have been published on GammonVillage and in several other publications. She has won awards for journalism, fiction, and poetry, and her writing has appeared in various literary and general magazines. Mary plays online at FIBS and GG as mamabear.

Bill Robertie is a renowned player and has won the title of World Champion of Backgammon twice in Monte Carlo (1983 and 1987) as well as the Bahamas Pro-Am in 1993 and the Istanbul World Cup (1994). Bill is a distinguished backgammon guru who co-edited the magazine "Inside Backgammon" with Kent Goulding from 1991-1999. His books are highly recommended by all players. His latest is "Modern Backgammon". An autographed set of all Robertie's books can be purchased here.

Trice covers every aspect of the game--from the most fundamental to the most advanced. No other series covers this range of essential material. Regardless of your level of play, Backgammon Boot Camp will transform you into a lean, mean, point-winning machine. This series is also published as a book.

Mark is a keen board-game enthusiast and was first introduced to backgammon whilst working in the Middle East. Mark's publication credits include articles and chapters published in International Legal Journals & Yearbooks. He is currently writing a book on 'The History and Evolution of Backgammon'. In this column Mark writes as a Devil's Advocate, (hence the DA) with an emphasis on the more controversial issues of the game. He can usually be found playing backgammon at Sydney's 'Mill Hill Backgammon Club'.