# Backgammon KG — A neural network backgammon AI

> Neural network AI backgammon game with multiple difficulty levels and training tools. (iPhone/iPad app by Keith Gould.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-kg/id1387299423 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Keith Gould](https://appshunter.io/developer/1387299422)
- Category: Games, Board
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.90/5 from 46 App Store ratings · 48 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 15 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2018-11-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-16
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-kg/id1387299423/reviews.md

## What is Backgammon KG?

A backgammon app with quick and smooth in-game play.  Features a strong neural network based AI built using deep learning and trained exclusively via self play.

Features:
- Play against friends in two-player mode or play against the neural networked AI.
- Four different levels of computer strength: Beginner, Intermediate, Hard, and Expert.
- See statistics on your play skill, error rate, and your game / match history against the AI.
- Tutor mode helps you improve your backgammon game.  Receive advice on your moves and see the AI's evaluations of all possible moves.
- Pip counter and equity meter.
- Beat the computer to unlock different boards.
- Many other configurable settings...

## Key features

- Play against AI or friends
- Four AI difficulty levels
- Play statistics and history
- Tutor mode for move advice
- Pip counter and equity meter
- Unlockable boards

## Recent user reviews (10 of 48)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-kg/id1387299423/reviews.md

### 1/5 — So rigged

*2026-08-06, version 1.1.1*

It’ll even glitch to win

### 2/5 — The dice rolls are garbage

*2026-07-25, version 1.1.1*

These have got to be the worst dice rolls I’ve ever seen, the AI ALWAYS manages to get exactly what it needs, hyper unrealistic and I’ve been playing backgammon for 4 decades

### 3/5 — Rules no uniformly applied

*2026-01-11, version 1.1.1*

Game is good to practice. However, the Crawford rule is only applied to black (the player) and the App sees its dice before doubling while black can not. 
‘Expert’ level does not play at that level, but uses highly improbable dice to advance.

### 2/5 — AI is awfully “lucky”

*2026-01-05, version 1.1.1*

I don’t trust the integrity of the dice rolls in this game any more than the other reviewers here, it seems quite likely that part of making its “expert” AI (which I would say is decent, but not great - it doesn’t seem to take the larger game context into account very well) competitive is to give it a helping hand with the dice when it is falling behind.

I only played 6 games (of which I won 4, so I don’t think this is sour grapes), so perhaps I was just actually unlucky, but the computer significantly out-pipped me in every game and was also fantastically lucky with me missing opportunities to hit solo pieces upon entering from the bar (In one game, I went 0 for 5 on hitting pieces the computer left open in its end zone when I had a piece on the bar while I was way ahead, “coincidentally” allowing the computer to come back from way behind).

### 5/5 — Strong player

*2025-10-18, version 1.1.1*

I’ve played all the BG apps and this one has the strongest AI I can play offline. Thank you! Dice rolls are completely fair and neutral, most people just aren’t aware of how much better this bot plays than the other apps.

### 1/5 — The game is 1000% rigged

*2025-09-03, version 1.1.1*

This game is absolutely rigged. I have played this game for over a year and it is statistically impossible to get the rolls that the AI gets. The question is, why???? Why rig a game against the player, there is no money involved. Just takes the fun out of it and makes it frustrating.

### 3/5 — Dice rolls not random

*2025-08-08, version 1.1.1*

I have played a lot of games.  Hard mode just gives player worse die rolls and the computer better dice rolls.  Dice rolls are not randomly distributed.  But at least it doesn’t have ads.

### 3/5 — It’s a start

*2025-05-13, version 1.1.1*

Nice graphics. Game sometimes will not allow me to make legal moves and second guesses causing way too many undos. Statistically, computer is way too lucky on doubles rolls. When I feel the urge to get belligerent, I’ll play a couple of games here and go out looking for something to destroy. :(

### 3/5 — It’s a start

*2025-05-04*

Nice graphics. Game sometimes will not allow me to make legal moves and second guesses causing way too many undos. Statistically, computer is way too lucky on doubles rolls.

### 1/5 — Garbage

*2024-09-26, version 1.1.1*

Played ten 3 point matches it out doubled me 63 to 26.  I won one game out of maybe 25 games.  I never had  a game where I outdoubled the app. Why do they write garbage apps like this??

## Frequently asked questions about Backgammon KG

### What is Backgammon KG?

Backgammon KG is a backgammon application that allows you to play against a strong neural network AI or a friend. It offers a smooth gameplay experience with various features designed to help you improve your backgammon skills.

### What are the key features of Backgammon KG?

Key features include playing against a neural network AI with four difficulty levels, a two-player mode, detailed statistics on your performance, a tutor mode for move advice, a pip counter, an equity meter, and the ability to unlock different boards.

### Is Backgammon KG free to play?

Yes, the application is free to download and play. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a completely free experience.

### Who is the target audience for this app?

This app is designed for anyone who enjoys playing backgammon, from beginners looking to learn and practice with a tutor mode to experienced players seeking a challenging AI opponent.

### How can the tutor mode help me improve?

The tutor mode provides advice on your moves and shows the AI's evaluations of all possible moves. This feature is invaluable for understanding strategic decisions and improving your overall backgammon game.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.1.1 — 2020-05-07

Minor bug fixes and visual improvements.

### 1.1 — 2019-06-03

1.1 Release notes

- Added new unlockable Board Themes!
- Match and game state are now retained when the app is closed or crashes!
- Home board is now always on the side closer to the player.
- Minor visual upgrades.
- Minor bug fixes.

### 1.0 — 2018-11-20

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-16.*
