Comparison

Backgammon NJ vs Backgammon Mastermind

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 Mastermind

Master the classic board game with interactive lessons and AI opponents. Learn rules, practice moves, and play against friends offline. Enjoy a full backgammon experience without ads or accounts.

Highlights
  • Interactive lessons
  • Heuristic AI opponent
  • Local 2-player mode
  • Drag and tap controls
  • Legal move highlighting
  • Offline play
Features
Read full description

Backgammon Mastermind is a polished take on the classic strategy board game — with an interactive Learn to Play path that teaches real rules on a live board. New to backgammon? Work through five short guided lessons covering the board, movement, hitting, the bar, and bearing off. Pass a quick check, then play your first real game. Already know the game? Jump straight into a match against the computer or share the board with a friend in pass-and-play mode. Roll dice, move your checkers, hit blots, and bear off all fifteen to win. Features: • Learn to Play — interactive lessons on a real board • Play against the computer • Local 2-player pass-and-play • Drag or tap to move; legal destinations highlighted • Direction guide and beginner-friendly preferences • Available in 17 languages • No account and no ads — gameplay runs on your device One purchase. Play offline after download.

Screenshots

Backgammon NJ4 screens
Backgammon Mastermind4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Backgammon Mastermind at 5.0 against Backgammon NJ's 4.4. Backgammon Mastermind also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). Backgammon NJ's advantage is ratings volume (1.5K vs 1) and chart position (#56 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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 NJ costs $4.99 and Backgammon Mastermind $4.99 up front. Backgammon NJ sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Backgammon Mastermind asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Backgammon Mastermind holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backgammon NJ has 1.5K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backgammon NJ ships an update every 9 days, Backgammon Mastermind every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Backgammon NJ versus Backgammon Mastermind: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackgammon NJBackgammon Mastermind
Price$4.99$4.99
Rating4.4 (1.5K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.5K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#56 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.4 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB62 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJimmy HuZachary Ebenfeld

Customer experience

Backgammon NJ

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

Backgammon Mastermind

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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 Mastermind

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Backgammon NJ

One-time3
  • Analysis Package$2.99
  • Online VIP$2.99
  • Power User$4.99
None

Backgammon Mastermind

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Backgammon NJ free?
Backgammon NJ costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Backgammon Mastermind free?
Backgammon Mastermind costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Mastermind?
Backgammon Mastermind is rated higher. Backgammon NJ averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Backgammon Mastermind averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Mastermind have ads?
Neither Backgammon NJ nor Backgammon Mastermind shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Mastermind?
Backgammon NJ ships an update every 9 days, and Backgammon Mastermind every 6 days. Most recently, Backgammon NJ was updated on October 12, 2026 and Backgammon Mastermind on October 10, 2026.

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