The Backgammon

The actual board game is dependent upon dice randomness. Physically, real dice. This program depends upon a random number generator. This is NOT backgammon. It has flashy graphics and all the movements are accurate, but in lieu of strategy, the algorithms skew probable distributions. A beginner playing this version, could learn enough to be able to play the actual board game. Anyone with experience however, will find this game to be frustratingly annoying.

My earlier review, I rated this as fair. I had not played in the challenge mode. I have played the challenge mode and now I change the rating from 5 stars to 1 star. In challenge mode, the game cheats horrifically. The odds of naturally rolling doubles is 16.7%. This game has an unnatural ability to not only roll doubles constantly (I have seen it roll doubles 10 times in a row), but it also has the unnatural ability to get the exact number combo it needs to protect it's pieces EVERY time. If you have hit one of it's pieces onto the bar, it will get out on it's very next turn. But if you have a piece on the bar, you will not be able to move for the next 5 turns because you will always roll what ever pegs he has blocked. One time, he only had the peg 6 blocked and it took me 22 rolls to get out... I kept rolling double 6's. THIS GAME CHEATS AND LIKE SO MANY OTHER GAMES, IT IS NOT WORTH KEEPING, PAYING FOR OR PLAYING. I AM UNINSTALLING IT RIGHT NOW. To the devs.... ,,|,,

need a better random number generator

At highest level, dice are no longer random. Computer always hits a single piece; computer always rolls exactly what is necessary to get out. Players doubles happen when he/she can't use them, or when the outcome is already decided.

Pros: The graphics are great. The game gives a lot of ways to set up the board comfortably. Very easy to adjust the board and play. Cons: Worst backgammon engine I've ever seen. No strategy. The computer just rolls "AMAZING" rolls whenever it needs them. If you play this game one 15 point match on it's top level (Level 5) you will see the computer roll more "miracles" than Jesus performed in the entire New Testament. I've saved over 200 of these "Game of the Century!" type comebacks by the backgammon engine. It's not intelligent, it just cheats. It does keep a record of the dice rolls (* as if it's proving it's fair). But, the statistics are a sham. Keep track (yourself) on the quality and timing of the double sixes and high number combinations. If you play a lot of backgammon, this game is OK for an alternate, but I wouldn't recommend it for a teaching program for beginners. It doesn't even come off the board in the end game correctly. Bottom line: Nice graphics, terrible backgammon.

Dice are MUCH more fair than Backgammon Pro (seriously, the fix is in on those dice.) Unfortunately, there isn't that much intelligence to Backgammon Intelligence. The only level at all challenging is 5 - and even then it will make some stupid moves. Also, this program won't resign - even if mathematically eliminated - which makes things tedious. Still waiting for a backgammon game worth paying for (which I will if it's half decent.)

I'm a good player BUT the "computer" gets to many good rolls like double 4's 4 x in a row. Needs to be balanced. On the positive side, the board play is excellent. David An average player would take stones off not keep moving closer to off !