Comparison

Backgammon NJ vs Backgammon Live™ Board Game

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 Live™ Board Game

Experience the classic board game with this online multiplayer version. Compete against players worldwide, participate in tournaments, and enjoy additional mini-games. Master strategy and luck to become a Backgammon champion.

Highlights
  • Online multiplayer matches
  • Backgammon tournaments
  • Mini-games (Blackjack, Roulette, Slots)
  • Backgammon Blitz mode
  • Customizable boards
  • Live chat
  • Daily bonuses and challenges
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The Backgammon game is the classic Backgammon board game that never gets old and gets better with this unique online version! Backgammon is one of the best PvP games ever created and now’s your chance to join the fun! Backgammon Live stays true to the rules of the original Backgammon board game. How to play Backgammon Live - Download the game and follow the Backgammon rules: Players get 15 game pieces (AKA checkers or draughts) and must roll the dice to move them between 24 points on the Backgammon dice board game, based on the numbers received in each dice roll. Become a true Backgammon master by being the first to “bear off” and move all the checkers off the Backgammon board! The winner can choose to double down using the Double or Nothing feature. This classic game for iPad and iPhone devices is a world of fun! This exciting online game offers different modes and includes the features of the classic Backgammon + a few additions that make Backgammon for iPad so great: - Mini games, HUGE wins! These extra free online games add a lot of entertainment and interest to the free dice game! Play captivating casino games, Blackjack 21 game, High or Low game, Roulette game, and a Slot Machine game. - Backgammon Blitz: Boost the pace to become the champion! Try the hyper Backgammon feature and Backgammon 3D visuals! - Custom boards: Organize crazy Backgammon setup layouts and play against Backgammon masters! - This is more than a game for two players! Participate in tournaments, compete, play the game with friends and Backgammon legends from all over the world! Join our champions league and top the competition leaderboard by winning multiplayer games! - Enjoy the Backgammon free online live chat within the Live Backgammon gaming app! - Win free backgammon coins and items by completing challenges and special tasks! Collect your daily bonus and all your other huge wins! - Connect to the Backgammon app with Facebook and invite your friends to play! This is a social game, after all! - This free Backgammon online game is just a quick download away! Play Backgammon games with friends free of charge, right now! Ready to play Backgammon? Okay! Backgammon Live is one of the leading strategy games, combining different brain games and thinking games. It’s a game of skill, a game of dice, a game of luck but above all – it’s a game of fun and one of the best board games out there! Download this free Backgammon app to find out why! Backgammon is actually an ancient Egyptian strategy board game (طاولي) also known as Tavla or Tawla and is considered one of the most popular online games in the world. Backgammon is called by different names including Nardi, Nard and Tawla. The app enables you to play online Backgammon and enjoy the best classic board games, win a Backgammon tournament, and earn prizes such as a dice shaker and dice cubes. Unlock new table games right after you download the Backgammon app and enter a tournament of Backgammon + friends and with no ads. Win contests to be crowned the king of the board! Whether you only want to play some dice games with your buddies or are eager to win every contest, even casual games with friends – this dice puzzle is one you’ll love to solve and this table game is one you’ll love to play! Backgammon forever! This Backgammon free PvP game for iPad is better than tabletop and dice games, as well as many board games collection, such as Chinese Checkers, Batak, Poker, Mahjong, Hokm, Domino, Chess, and more; skill games or other types of free board games on iOS. Start playing this phone dice game and fall in love with the dice app! Backgammon Live is intended for adults only and does not offer real money gambling or any opportunities to win real money or prizes. Success within this game does not imply future success at real money gambling.

Screenshots

Backgammon NJ4 screens
Backgammon Live™ Board Game4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Backgammon Live™ Board Game at Free against Backgammon NJ's $4.99. Backgammon Live™ Board Game also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (62K vs 1.5K). Backgammon NJ's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). On in-app purchases, monetization model, chart position 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 Live™ Board Game is free to download; Backgammon NJ costs $4.99 up front. Backgammon NJ sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Backgammon Live™ Board Game sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Backgammon Live™ Board Game holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backgammon Live™ Board Game has 62K ratings behind it against 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of Backgammon NJ's written reviews are positive against 43% of Backgammon Live™ Board Game's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backgammon NJ ships an update every 9 days, Backgammon Live™ Board Game monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Backgammon NJ versus Backgammon Live™ Board Game: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackgammon NJBackgammon Live™ Board Game
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (1.5K ratings)4.7 (62K ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.2% of reviews — better42.7% of reviews
Number of ratings1.5K62K — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterMonthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#28 — better#61
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB247 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperJimmy HuCome2Play

Customer experience

Backgammon NJ

All ratings1,498 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral6.0%
Negative9.9%
Written reviews402 reviews
Positive51.2%
Neutral11.2%
Negative37.6%

Backgammon Live™ Board Game

All ratings61,678 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral1.9%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews1,351 reviews
Positive42.7%
Neutral5.3%
Negative52.0%

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 Live™ Board Game

From 62K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Great graphics and boards
  • 🌍 Play against players worldwide
  • 🕹️ Fun and addictive gameplay
  • 🕰️ Convenient way to pass time

Room to improve

  • 🎲 Questionable dice rolls and randomness
  • 💰 Rigged to encourage in-app purchases
  • 🔒 Lack of transparency around game mechanics
  • 🔴 Frustrating losing streaks and unfair outcomes
  • 🔧 Frequent bugs, glitches, and connection issues

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 Live™ Board Game

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Game freezes or disconnects during play
  • Incorrect or inconsistent scoring and payouts
  • Inability to control piece movement as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Allow players to choose opponents
  • Implement a more traditional backgammon ruleset
  • Provide more detailed game statistics and analytics
  • Add a chat feature to interact with opponents

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Backgammon NJ

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

Backgammon Live™ Board Game

One-time13
  • Tiny Vault$1.99
  • Coins$1.99
  • Backgammon Live Offer$1.99
Show 10 more
  • 16,500 Coin Offer$2.99
  • 18,000 Coin Bundle Offer$2.99
  • Limited Timed Bundle Deal -$2.99
  • 60,000 Coin Bundle Deal$3.99
  • 30,000 Coin Offer$4.99
  • Backgammon Live Offer$4.99
  • 70,000 Coin Offer$9.99
  • 175000 Coins for only 9.99$9.99
  • 100,000 Coin Bundle Offer$9.99
  • 300,000 Coin Bundle Offer$19.99

Questions

Is Backgammon NJ free?
Backgammon NJ costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Backgammon Live™ Board Game free?
Backgammon Live™ Board Game is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Live™ Board Game?
Backgammon Live™ Board Game is rated higher. Backgammon NJ averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.5K ratings, while Backgammon Live™ Board Game averages 4.7 from 62K ratings.
Do Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Live™ Board Game have ads?
Backgammon Live™ Board Game shows ads; Backgammon NJ does not.
Which is updated more often, Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Live™ Board Game?
Backgammon NJ ships an update every 9 days, and Backgammon Live™ Board Game monthly. Most recently, Backgammon NJ was updated on September 26, 2026 and Backgammon Live™ Board Game on September 28, 2026.
Which is more popular, Backgammon NJ or Backgammon Live™ Board Game?
Backgammon NJ currently peaks at #28 in the App Store charts, and Backgammon Live™ Board Game at #61. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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