# Backgammon Machine — user reviews > 40 indexed App Store user reviews of Backgammon Machine by Tyler Walker, rated 4.10/5 from 87 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-machine/id1337173672/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backgammon-machine/id1337173672.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 53 · 4★ 14 · 3★ 5 · 2★ 6 · 1★ 9 ## Newest reviews (12 of 40) ### 3/5 — B’gammon *2025-12-31, version 1.0.2* After quite a bit of time playing this, I am left with the distinct impression that that the game does consistently and predictably give the ‘machine’ player highly convenient dice rolls, and that these consistent results are not random. I like the simple monochromatic game design, and the aesthetics, and that it is free with no ads - all of that is absolutely superlative. I liked, at times, playing this. But there are certain times when clear and obvious patterns of play, favoring the ‘machine’ player occur with such regularity that it puts a damper on one’s enthusiasm or desire to continue playing when despite one’s best efforts, the game play seems a bit, well, rigged. It would be great if the developer could tweak this a bit,so that gameplay is more neutral and does not favor the ‘machine’ player. Parts of the app are nicely designed. ### 3/5 — Machine gets to many doubles *2025-07-17, version 1.0.2* The computer seems to get many doubles such that it gets more moves. Not convinced the game is fair. Seems to always be many moves ahead. ### 4/5 — Simple and Functional *2024-07-22, version 1.0.2* Very easy to fire this up and play a few games quickly. No crappy ads popping up constantly. -1 star for the lack of a dark mode (UI is too bright at night) and limited difficulty options. It would be nice to play against different styles (defensive, aggressive, etc.). 10/10 recommend for anyone looking for a simple backgammon game! ### 3/5 — Cheats *2024-05-24, version 1.0.2* Sometimes will block you from moving in certain spaces the computer wants to capture your pieces from next turn. ### 4/5 — AI seems fair *2023-10-13, version 1.0.2* I’d like to be able to play full screen landscape without triggering the pull-down menu, but UX is otherwise nice! ### 2/5 — not great *2023-08-16, version 1.0.2* dubious randomness and let down by not having colour or portrait view options ### 3/5 — No it doesn’t cheat, but no doubling cube or matches *2023-01-05, version 1.0.2* Seems like a decent if bare bones backgammon app, but the lack of a doubling cube or the ability to create matches is a serious downer. Add those and perhaps some bare bones graphics and the game would be much better! ### 2/5 — Game blocks one die wrongly *2022-10-12, version 1.0.2* Game blocks one die when playing in from bar. For example, roll is 21 and point 2 is blocked. Points 1 and 3 are empty. Checker on bar can only play to point 1 (die showing 2 is grayed out). However, after playing from the bar, the checker can be moved 2 to point 3. The game has a critical bug. ### 4/5 — I swear it’s cheating sometimes *2021-08-18, version 1.0.2* Reminds me of the simple game I used to play on my old Nokia. Love the simplicity and speed of gameplay compared the first one I downloaded but dislike the glitch that has the screen grey out for two of every four games.. and the dice seem loaded in the AI’s favour sometimes lol.. ### 2/5 — Cheating!! *2021-08-07, version 1.0.2* The app is cheating. The rolls are not random. When I’m on the bar, it either takes me multitudes of rolls to get my die off, meanwhile it fills all spaces OR it decides right away that it’s the perfect time to roll doubles and block my re-entry. When I have an AI checker on the bar, it immediately rolls just what it needs whenever I’m exposed. Blah! ### 2/5 — Bad graphics and layout *2021-04-17, version 1.0.2* Hard to see and move pieces. Developer consider using the entire screen. Not just the middle third ### 2/5 — Not so sure *2021-04-12, version 1.0.2* Thought this was a challenging game but machine adds a game to its tally even when human wins. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Disappointing *2023-07-16, version 1.0.2* I play a lot of Backgammon and do not believe the “random” dice generator. It’s simply not believable. They dice do not favour either player but getting a sequence of double six, double five and double six when casting off is simply not believable and spoils the game. ### 1/5 — The AI is a cheater *2022-10-29, version 1.0.2* It’s no fun playing against a cheater. On top of that the AIs moves take so long! ### 1/5 — Impossible Dice-Don’t bother *2022-09-09, version 1.0.2* The more wins a human racks up the better the machine’s dice get. There is no way it gets the rolls it does. If this is AI count me out… we’re doomed. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t even work! *2022-04-25* I’ve played iPhone app backgammon for +5 years now. Forget “the dice.” My first roll of my first game, some how I was able to position 7 different pieces of mine outside perimeter of the literally game, inside field of play anywhere or anywhere, even on top of 3 stack of opponent’s piece if I wanted. “Next Turn” was the only response I got from the app when made any moves possible. Deleted it in 7 min because it took me 5 min to type this diplomatically. What a garbage app. ### 1/5 — If this app cheats it’s terrible at it *2021-12-19, version 1.0.2* First off I have to say to the people who are being crushed by this app and saying that it cheats - heaven help you if you end up playing a proper neural network engine (either XG or NJ). And to the developer who states that “sometimes it will feel like it is cheating as you’re getting hammered”…..I mean seriously dude - did you actually test this against anyone who could actually play i.e. tournament class? This app is absolutely awful. I only lasted 13 games for the sheer comedy value of how bad it was (winning 12 out of 13). ### 1/5 — Computer Affects Dice Roll *2021-09-24, version 1.0.2* I don’t care what the author says. The only changes I noticed are that the computer gets EVERY roll of the dice that it needs. Once in a while is expected, but not 99% of the time. It is a cop out to change the computer’s luck, instead of making smarter moves. ### 1/5 — Flawed *2021-06-28, version 1.0.2* Love the clean interface but as other reviewers have stated the machine just keeps rolling doubles when it is in a tight spot. Pointless. Shame. ### 1/5 — Worthless. *2021-02-06, version 1.0.2* Same old cheating. Worthless. ### 1/5 — This AI cheats too! *2021-01-06, version 1.0.2* Took a screen shot of the play that wouldn’t allow me to move the sensible move but allowed the only other move which resulted in being removed. Happened once before but wasn’t sure I believed what was happening. I’ve only played 49 games and experienced 2 cheats. :( ### 1/5 — Flawed game *2020-12-31, version 1.0.2* The same old storey its dial a dice again your well on top and the AI hits you with double after double.A complete waste of time ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Gorgeous app *2023-05-28, version 1.0.2* Once you get over thinking the dice is rigged and realise you’re just not a strong player this app becomes amazing at improving your game. Beautifully made and perfect in its simplicity, it has to be one of the best backgammon apps out there. A credit to its developer. ### 5/5 — Love it *2023-05-04, version 1.0.2* Best backgammon app I’ve found it’s simple and to the point and the computer is very difficult I’m currently 17/77 Thank you for making this app ### 5/5 — Great Backgammon App! *2023-02-13, version 1.0.2* If you don’t care about playing with other people online, this is the app you need! The AI is challenging enough and it’s a great ad-free app. ### 5/5 — Optimized & minimalistic *2023-01-30, version 1.0.2* The app has a really small size & runs as smoothly as you can imagine. It has a minimalistic look which is nice & it runs on landscape & vertical mode. It also doesn’t drain your battery because of how minimalistic & optimized it is. Overall I have no complaints! Well done ### 5/5 — Great Game *2022-08-22, version 1.0.2* Now let’s include doubling to get the real BG experience. ### 5/5 — I want this to succeed *2022-05-23, version 1.0.2* Clearly a work in progress but very promising. ### 5/5 — Play to 100 Human Wins *2021-09-01, version 1.0.2* Since I am getting better at playing this game. I like to play to 100 Human wins then delete the app and then re-upload it. That way the app has to relearn how I play at my higher skill level. ### 5/5 — Great app, visually appealing *2021-02-28, version 1.0.2* The app does what it’s supposed to. Simple. Basic. Although I do think it cheats because so far I’m losing 15 to 85... ### 5/5 — Excellent! *2020-12-22, version 1.0.2* Have been looking for a good neural backgammon ever since Jellyfish. This isn’t pretty pretty. (And no annoying bells and whistles). But a worthy opponent. Delighted to have found it. ### 5/5 — Stunning Game *2020-10-28, version 1.0.2* Well done. Great presentation, concept and engine. Best game availabe --- *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 2026-07-29.*