Leave a Review The Backgammon
Dice rolls suspect
The computer seems to want to determine the win we, unless you want to believe that one of the players gets doubles almost every roll, and is able to come from behind and get all their men off first due to getting 3 sets of high doubles in a row.
THE GAME CHEATSRanadist
Nice game
I like the game, but hate the adds. I would be willing to pay a few $ to have the adds removed.Peeoat
Beatable but cheats
I’ve been playing for over forty years and made a serious study of the game over time, so I have a pretty good sense of tactics at any given point in play. The board surface interface is good and is pleasant to play; no garish colours etc. The game offers five levels of play, 5 being the highest; typically as with all such games that have an apparent random feature (dice in this case) the lower levels cheat in favour of the human player, but sadly like all other apps I’ve come across this also happens at the highest level but it’s not so blatant as many on offer. At a match it is beatable as its programming for tactical positions and ‘doubling’ is not foolproof. My winning ratio when in match play at level 5 is 80% but the app despite on occasion using poor strategy on its part ensures that the ratio of my winning never exceeds 80%, simply by having a perfect storm of dice throws and over a period of several games; one game I remember it gave itself seven high numbered doubles at the end ensuring it victory. So when playing it you need to take in to account that it is likely to roll more double numbers than you do so your strategy needs to take this into account.
Its dice statistics indicate that it rolls significantly more double 6,5,3 and 2’s and this is standard across all platforms when playing it whether on PC or mobile units. It is also prone to having the first turn; its own dice statistics typically indicates 52 to 48% in its favour, however my own estimates in its starting ratio is closer to 75% immediately putting you at a consistent disadvantage.
But as I said earlier it is beatable if you get to know when it will offer a double and the situations it will accept a double. Its middle game strategy is relatively weak so it is possible to beat it from a poorer pip point position if you have a stronger positional sense. I usually know when it is programmed to win a match as its doubling tactic is much more aggressive and it tends to have a range of dice throws although not blatant that will on average give it favourable outcomes.
What I do find curious is that it now and again is programmed to allow itself to lose a three point ‘backgammon’ game when it could get away with a gammon; this was the first clue to me realising its programming was not honest.
However the app can be used as a good learning tool and will enable a beginner or intermediate player opportunity to improve their tactics and sense of gameplay.Show lessDr. E T Apt
The algorithms cheat
When you set the game on the hard level be prepared for the computer to regularly role 5-9 doubles for every one that you get, and the computer will ‘randomly’ roll die that land on your exposed piece extremely regularly. It’s sad when programmers set algorithms to cheat in order to win.SGammer
Rigged Game
This game is rigged and the computer wins at will. It’s a shame that Apple would allow these rooks to sell their products to apple customersAishaBakkar
Dice are not random
At the beginning, 4 of 5 rolls are 6,5. That is not random. If one game, okay, but comes too often to be random. Still, a very fine display, matching is efficient, and different opponents such as playing against machine are first rate. Just get the dice to be random.m453612
Misleading
Starts off quite fairly, but before you know it the ai is constantly getting 1/36 prob moves and similarly you are constantly throwing the most unlikely rolls that screws up your whole position.
Difficult doesn’t mean loaded dice.fyjfddghjuffdt
Why are the dice outcomes so questionable
Enjoy Backgammon (hate the background music), but why are these games all the same when it comes to the dice? Here’s a recent example. Just finished up a game where I had my opponent off the board and had only the 5 and 2 open. Guess what my opponent rolled? Yep, a 5 and a 2. I suppose that was ok - stuff happens. But, a moment later, I got him off the board again and this time I had the 2 covered, as well. Guess what the opponent rolled? Yup, double fives. Ok, ok...stuff happens. However, I immediately get him off the board again and guess what? Yup, he rolls double fives on the next roll, too. THAT IS NOT RANDOM. NO WAY, NO HOW!Show lessDice be loaded
Cheater
This is not random. It cheats!Aspesepid
Disappointing
At first, I played a lot offline against the AI. The lower rated AI’s are ridiculously easy but I found the top level ok. The problem came when I decided to play online. I believe I am still playing against an AI mostly and when I am in a position to win, my opponent either throws exactly what they need or will pull out a couple of doubles and I lose. I am not a bad player but I have yet to win online despite being in the stronger position in most of the games I have played. Disappointing.Show lessIanC54
