My girlfriend has just introduced me to the 'delights' of backgammon.

I have to say that it's the most frustrating game ever. You think hard and make the best moves you can, but your opponent always seems to have the run of the dice, and throws exactly what you don't want...

Every time!

Anyway, I'd like to become a better player, and would be grateful for any advice. I've searched the 'net a bit, and whilst there are lots of sites out there, I've not been able to find any decent tutorials that explain the best moves.

Can anyone recommend any, or point me in the direction of a decent book?

I'm not adverse to maths, but I am adverse to statistically mean dice.

Any thoughts, please?

Many thanks,

Ed