Comparison

Backgammon NJ vs Backgammon Masters

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Backgammon NJ

Engage in classic backgammon against a sophisticated AI, a friend on the same device, or players worldwide. Improve your skills with tutor mode and hints, and customize your game experience.

Highlights
  • Neural network AI opponent
  • Online multiplayer (real-time & turn-based)
  • Local 2-player mode
  • Tutor Mode and Hints
  • Customizable board and checkers
  • Match play up to 25 points
  • Game Center integration
Features
Read full description

● GAME CENTER -- Play online, chat, invite friends, auto-match with random players { Real-time } Play online in real-time { Turn-based } Play online at your own pace ● VERSATILE -- Play offline vs. computer or against another person in 2-player mode ● CUSTOMIZABLE -- More options than any other backgammon app Play & learn backgammon at skill levels ranging from beginner to world-class! Backgammon NJ is a full-featured game which uses an advanced, neural network-based, artificial intelligence. Play against a computer AI, another person in 2-player mode on one device, or online against friends & other players. Using Tutor Mode & Hints, Backgammon NJ can show you how to improve your game! Discriminating players will appreciate how well the AI plays. It uses a neural network trained on millions of positions, a bearoff database, & a match equity table to achieve strong gameplay that will challenge even expert players. REVIEWS "[I] know strong bg play when I see it. This app is the strongest iPhone bg app I've played with by far. It does not cheat period. ...Analyzing these matches with eXtreme Gammon confirms a world class level of play with normal luck factors. If you are losing, get over it. So would 99.9% of the other backgammon players in the world. It is just that good. Learn from it." -Richard Munitz, Giant of Backgammon, #21 world ranking in 2009 "Backgammon NJ plays at an extremely high level with an excellent interface, and I often use it to practice on my iPhone when I am traveling. I recommend it highly to my students and friends." -Phil Simborg, Professional Backgammon Teacher and Player, www.mindgamescenter.com "I've played over 500 games now; I've checked about 5% of these against World Class Desktop programs (GNU, BGBlitz); and I've actually used some of the competition. NJ has the best interface and has more useful functions than any other backgammon apps out there." "For serious backgammon players, Backgammon NJ is the way to go." -Macworld.com, May 2012 IS THIS GAME RIGHT FOR YOU? This game is best for people: • Who recognize the strength of neural network backgammon bots • Who want to improve their game by playing against a world-class level AI • Who will use the in-depth, technical features included in the app to prove that it is honest (https://www.njsoftware.com/note.html) • Who won't expect to win consistently on the higher skill levels FEATURES • Neural network-based AI • 2 game types: Standard Backgammon or Nackgammon • 4 skill levels: Easy, Medium, Hard, Expert • Customizable board design & checker colors • Mersenne Twister algorithm for random number generation • Doubling cube • Single games or match play up to 25 points • Crawford rule for match play • 1-player mode vs. computer • 2-player mode on one device • Game Center: Play real-time or turn-based online matches with friends & other players • Chat with your online opponent • Online Elo & Experience leaderboards • Block list for auto-match • User-friendly, tap-to-move interface • Highlighted checker movement options • Hint & Undo • Learn with Status Meter & Tutor Mode • Game & dice stats, including Elo rating & ER • Match info: GnuBG ID, win chances, equity, top 10 moves, & cube decisions • Email match files • Practice mode with unlimited undo (1-player vs. computer) • Manual match recording mode with unlimited undo & speed mode option • Options to reverse board direction, resign, use one-tap moves, auto bearoff, auto finish, use Jacoby rule, & much more • Match analysis (in-app purchase): Analyze past match files, view moves & errors for match, step through match, jump to position, play from position, save match files permanently IMPORTANT • If an online match ends for any reason, you'll receive the Elo pts you deserve. FAQ: https://gamecenter.njsoftware.com • Contact us for help: https://contact.njsoftware.com

About

Backgammon Masters

Experience the classic board game with modern graphics and multiple variations. Play against AI, friends, or online opponents in tournaments, with customizable profiles and live chat. Enjoy fair dice rolls and track your progress with extensive statistics.

Highlights
  • Multiple backgammon styles (Narde, Tavla, Nackgammon)
  • Online multiplayer and AI opponent modes
  • Daily tournaments
  • Hotseat mode for local play
  • Customizable profiles and global chat
  • Fair and verifiable dice rolls
  • Extensive game statistics
Read full description

Want to learn how to play backgammon wherever you go? You are in luck! Backgammon Masters is an aesthetically pleasing game for online and single player backgammon. Enjoy the ancient board game in crisp, modern graphics on your smartphone or tablet! All board game fans will appreciate the easy to use interface, detailed visuals and many features. There is something for everybody! You can personalise your profile, challenge online players, make bets, gammon opponents, participate in tournaments, chat live, find new friends and learn all the tricks of this ancient and exciting board game! Want to play with friends and family? Easy! Play with your friends in hotseat mode, organise tournaments and improve your skill! Out on a trip and have no internet connection? Just challenge our AI in any backgammon style you wish! One match will take you only 5 to 30 minutes. Backgammon Masters supports many styles of backgammon: » Classic backgammon - the core of the game. » Narde (Nardi) - very popular in Russia. Longer play, since you can't hit opponent's checkers. » Tavla (Tavli or Turkish Backgammon) - popular in Turkey. Very similar to backgammon with some rule differences regarding checker play. » Nackgammon - variation invented by Nack Ballard with 2 differences from the original game. » Old English Backgammon - a style popular in United Kingdom. Despite the game's old age millions of people all around the world still enjoy this fantastic board game and its variations up to this day. Join and become a true Master of Backgammon! Game Features: ● 5 backgammon styles: Backgammon, Narde, Nackgammon, Old English and Tavla ● 3 game modes: Online game, against AI, and Hotseat ● 100% fair and completely random dice rolls ● Option to check dice fairness in the game in your profile and on the server ● 6 beautiful boards: Classic, Metal, 10,000BC, Profi, Casino and White Crocodile! ● 2 difficulty levels in game vs AI ● Daily tournaments in Backgammon, Narde, Tavla and Nackgammon ● Extensive statistics for the last match ● Share your success on Facebook or Twitter! ● Highlighting of available moves ● Find new friends and opponents in global chat! ● Elo score support and skill levels for players. Can you reach the top? ● Free and regular updates! ● Collect daily free bonus coins! ● Multi language support: Russian, German and Turkish translations! ● Cross platform support for devices all over the world! Internet access is required upon first launch of the app in order to download additional resources (size up to 100 Mb). Online play requires an internet connection. Here is what our players are saying about Backgammon Masters: “I had tried many backgammon apps: Backgammon NJ, Backgammon Deluxe, Backgammon Live, Backgammon Ace, Backgammon Gold, but I really think Backgammon Masters is the best and most exciting backgammon app currently available in the market! I play it with my friends and family all the time!" "To put it simply, Backgammon Masters is one gorgeous looking application." -- TheiPhoneAppReview "The game is exactly what a backgammon app should be. It has a great look, detailed instructions, and is faithful to the original game. The number of match-making offerings is impressive and the controls are easy to use." -- 148apps Like us and follow us for the latest news, updates and free offers: » http://www.facebook.com/2KBLLC » http://www.twitter.com/2kbcompany If you enjoy Backgammon Masters, leave us a rating! We listen to our players and work constantly to improve the game and make it better.

Screenshots

Backgammon NJ4 screens
Backgammon Masters4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Backgammon Masters at Free against Backgammon NJ's $4.99. Backgammon Masters also leads on iOS requirement (13.5 vs 15.4). Backgammon NJ's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 3.8) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Backgammon Masters is free to download; Backgammon NJ costs $4.99 up front. Backgammon NJ sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Backgammon Masters sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Backgammon NJ holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.5K and 1.1K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of Backgammon NJ's written reviews are positive against 33% of Backgammon Masters's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backgammon NJ ships an update every 9 days, Backgammon Masters fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Backgammon NJ versus Backgammon Masters: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackgammon NJBackgammon Masters
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (1.5K ratings) — better3.8 (1.1K ratings)
Positive reviews51.1% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1.5K — better1.1K
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#56 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.413.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB329 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperJimmy Hu2KB LLC

Customer experience

Backgammon NJ

All ratings1,498 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral6.0%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews405 reviews
Positive51.1%
Neutral11.1%
Negative37.8%

Backgammon Masters

All ratings1,064 ratings
Positive67.5%
Neutral4.5%
Negative28.0%
Written reviews435 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral8.5%
Negative58.2%

User reviews

Backgammon NJ

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent gameplay
  • 🤖 Challenging AI opponent
  • 📊 Detailed game analysis and statistics
  • 👍 Smooth and intuitive interface
  • 🏆 Helps improve player skills

Room to improve

  • 🎲 Perceived unfairness in dice rolls
  • 🤖 AI opponent seen as cheating or having an unfair advantage
  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
  • 💰 Expensive for a mobile game

Backgammon Masters

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fair dice rolls
  • 🎨 Excellent graphics and visuals
  • 💬 Good communication options with opponents
  • 🕹️ Smooth gameplay and intuitive controls

Room to improve

  • 🎲 Unfair dice rolls favoring opponents
  • 🤖 Rigged algorithm to force losses
  • 💰 Monetization tactics to force in-app purchases
  • 🛑 Inability to block or avoid certain players

Bugs and requests

Backgammon NJ

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Forced moves not always the best option
  • Inconsistent behavior in auto-bear-off mode
  • Online games prone to disconnections and timeouts

Requested features

4 requests
  • Manual dice roll option to verify randomness
  • Ability to set custom difficulty levels
  • Online multiplayer with chat functionality
  • Improved tutorial and learning resources

Backgammon Masters

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Game crashes or freezes after updates
  • Incorrect move registrations or inability to make legal moves
  • Coins disappearing from user accounts

Requested features

3 requests
  • Resign button to avoid waiting for game to end
  • Option to play against AI without connecting to internet
  • Ability to choose opponents based on skill level or location

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Backgammon NJ

One-time3
  • Analysis Package$2.99
  • Online VIP$2.99
  • Power User$4.99
12 purchases

Backgammon Masters

One-time12
  • "No ads package GIFT"Free
  • "No ads package"$1.99
  • Gold coins$1.99
Show 9 more
  • 20 Spins for Wheel of Fortune$1.99
  • Bag of gold$4.99
  • Sack of gold - FIRE SALE!$4.99
  • Sack of gold - SALE!$7.99
  • Sack of gold$9.99
  • Chest of gold - SALE!$9.99
  • Chest of gold$19.99
  • Pile of gold - FIRE SALE!$24.99
  • Pile of gold$49.99

Questions

Is Backgammon NJ free?
Backgammon NJ costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Backgammon Masters free?
Backgammon Masters is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Masters?
Backgammon NJ is rated higher. Backgammon NJ averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Backgammon Masters averages 3.8 from 1.1K ratings.
Do Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Masters have ads?
Backgammon Masters shows ads; Backgammon NJ does not.
Which is updated more often, Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Masters?
Backgammon NJ ships an update every 9 days, and Backgammon Masters fortnightly. Most recently, Backgammon NJ was updated on October 12, 2026 and Backgammon Masters on October 10, 2026.

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