True Backgammon

This is a very nice game but it’s not my go-to backgammon game (I play exclusively against the computer right now). I much prefer the one-tap movement found in the backgammon app by Adikus than the tap-tap movement in this app. You wouldn't think fewer taps would be a big deal but it really is, the other app’s interface is smoother and I can fly through a game in half the time. The other app also has the undo button on the screen, I don’t have to expose hidden buttons to undo a move. I’d like to be a better player so I’m intrigued by the BGBlitz tutor but I won’t buy it because I find this app’s interface somewhat annoying. This game is prettier though. I’m not a good enough player to comment on the relative strengths of their engines.

I’ve been playing this version for years and consistently winning matches, either 100 points and the more statistically significant 1000 pointers. I generally win between 65% to 70% of the points. The programmer is definitely an expert player and his/her expertise is reflected in the strategies the program employs. The previous version had a definite weakness with regard to when it would accept a double and it was possible to trick it into multiple doubles when it did not have the advantage. This problem was eliminated entirely. That said, the program still has a weakness that you can exploit for extra points. It will not accept a double in most cases when you have a pip count of 8 in your favor. That said, the programmer’s expertise is so good that if you have to play expertly and avoid mistakes. In the past I’ve read reviews where the reviewer felt the game cheats. Yes, it looks that way sometimes but the law of large numbers prevails and in the end the dice favor neither side.

BG engine is great, play is slick. Pretty as well. However, unlike BG Blitz, there’s no suggest a move option, even though with the tutor mode it will suggest on, and give an analysis of alternatives if you make a bad one. Also, a finish the game option (with the engine taking both sides) would be very welcome. And a very fast option for game/animation would help for when the fairly slow pace of even the fast speed drags. Interestingly, the engine’s play gets a bit testy when it’s either locked out of its home board and is way behind or is being badly beaten in a game that will be match game. In the first case it will sometimes fail to make the roll for you, and will require two taps to make the roll for you. In the second, rather than move off normally it will dawdle moving into the last board and move off, resulting in an unnecessary (and meaningless, as the match is not in doubt) gammon or backgammon. Not a bug, more of a charming idiosyncrasy. Best, R

I like the game and I only play at the expert level. From what I have experienced....expert should not mean unbelievably lucky. After months of play that’s what I see with this game. So frustrating that I want to......I will say that the game play has made me a better player or a different player because I know that if I leave a piece open there is a 75% chance it will jumped. I have not tried roll your own dice b/c of slow play, though when I play person to person it shows that I’m a very improved player. This App is almost perfect except expert level.

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I loved playing this game when I was in high school and recently found that love again. I’ve downloaded most of the backgammon apps and by far this app is the best. That being said, I believe that the app has a huge problem. The dice favor the computer. Every once in a while a notice comes up about how their algorithm is not in favor of the computer but that is not true. The mere fact that the notice appears shows that too many players believe otherwise. I play a lot and it is too coincidental that the opponent ALWAYS gets the perfect move. I believe the computer lets us win once in a while to make us come back to play but the dice are loaded. 😬