Backgammon NJ HD vs Backgammon Connect
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Backgammon NJ HD
Play backgammon against a powerful AI, a friend on the same device, or players worldwide. Improve your skills with tutor mode and detailed analysis. Offers customizable options and supports all iOS devices.
- Neural network AI
- Online multiplayer (real-time & turn-based)
- 2-player mode on one device
- Tutor Mode & Hints
- Customizable board and checkers
- Match play and single games
- Game Center integration
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● 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 ● UNIVERSAL -- Supports iPad, iPhone, & iPod touch Play & learn backgammon at skill levels from beginner to world-class! Backgammon NJ HD 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 & others. Using Tutor Mode & Hints, Backgammon NJ HD 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 & friends." -Phil Simborg, Professional Backgammon Teacher & 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 & 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 pts • 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 • Tap-to-move interface • Highlighted checker movement options • Hint & Undo • Learn with 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
Backgammon Connect
Play a classic board game online with friends and family worldwide. Features realistic 3D dice rolls and asynchronous multiplayer, allowing you to play at your own pace. Enjoy cross-platform compatibility and track your game statistics.
- Online multiplayer
- 3D board and dice
- Asynchronous real-time play
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Swipe to roll dice
- Match play with doubling cube
- Rolling statistics tracking
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Backgammon Connect is a next-gen online multiplayer game where you can play against your family and friends from around the world! Our real 3D board and dice ensure completely fair and random rolls, and you can even swipe the dice in any direction you choose. Play against users on any device, whether for a couple of rolls or a complete match. Our platform supports asynchronous real-time play so you don’t need to complete an entire game all in one sitting. Backgammon is a fantastic and legendary board game already, we just added the latest technology to be able to improve how you can connect with friends when you can’t play in person. For how to play and gameplay tutorials, please search online! We are creating our how-to-play guides but wanted to get the game in the hands of our users as quickly as possible. Please let us know of any feature requests, as we are looking to constantly improve the app! Play Anytime: Backgammon Connect supports asynchronous multiplayer, so you can leave a game and come back to it later. Feel free to play a couple of rolls while at work or on a break, the game will wait for you. You’ll get a notification once it’s your turn again! If you and your friend are in a game at the same time, you’ll see real-time moves that they are making. Cross-Platform Play: Built using the Unity platform, our app works natively for virtually any device. You can now play with your friends across mobile platforms and devices! Real Dice Rolls: With real 3D dice, you can rest assured that the dice rolls are completely genuine and not manipulated or moved in any way. Our dice and board are designed to simulate real dice as closely as possible. Swipe to Roll: While you can easily roll using our roll button, you can also choose to tap the dice, drag your finger around, and swipe in any direction or speed that you’d like to generate a completely unique and random roll. Use this every time or when you need that perfect number to hit your opponent’s open chips! Play Multiple Games: Since Backgammon Connect supports asynchronous play-anytime gameplay, you can have multiple games going against your friends and family simultaneously! Match Play: We default to matches of 15 points, which lets you use the doubling cube to your advantage to best your opponent. Rolling Stats: Keep track of your and your friends’ rolling stats, and make sure to give them a hard time if they are rolling an unusual amount of doubles! We’re working hard to add features to the game, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with any suggestions.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Backgammon Connect at Free against Backgammon NJ HD's $7.99. Backgammon Connect also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months). Backgammon NJ HD's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.7) and review sentiment (56% vs 17%). On 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
Backgammon Connect is free to download; Backgammon NJ HD costs $7.99 up front. Backgammon NJ HD sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Backgammon Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.
Backgammon NJ HD holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backgammon NJ HD has 3.6K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of Backgammon NJ HD's written reviews are positive against 17% of Backgammon Connect's.
Backgammon NJ HD ships an update every 5 months, Backgammon Connect every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Backgammon NJ HD | Backgammon Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (3.6K ratings) — better | 3.7 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 55.7% of reviews — better | 16.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3.6K — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Best chart rank | #137 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.4 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 180 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jimmy Hu | GLD Labs LLC |
Customer experience
Backgammon NJ HD
Backgammon Connect
Bugs and requests
Backgammon NJ HD
Reported bugs
3 issues- Frequent crashes
- Unreliable online play and matchmaking
- Issues with syncing progress across devices
Requested features
4 requests- Manual dice rolling option
- Ability to undo moves
- Improved online/multiplayer experience
- More difficulty levels
Backgammon Connect
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Backgammon NJ HD
- Analysis Package$2.99
- Online VIP$2.99
- Power User$4.99
Backgammon Connect
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Backgammon NJ HD free?
Is Backgammon Connect free?
Which has better reviews, Backgammon NJ HD or Backgammon Connect?
Do Backgammon NJ HD or Backgammon Connect have ads?
Which is updated more often, Backgammon NJ HD or Backgammon Connect?
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