Comparison

Backgammon NJ HD vs Hardwood Backgammon Pro

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Currently charting
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 ● 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

About

Hardwood Backgammon Pro

Experience the classic board game with a modern twist. Play against AI or players worldwide with customizable boards, dice, and checkers. Enjoy achievements and immersive environments for endless fun.

Highlights
  • Single player vs. AI
  • Online multiplayer
  • 2 player local mode
  • Full match play with doubling cube
  • Customizable boards, dice, and checkers
  • Achievements
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Pull up a chair at the Hardwood Inn. Backgammon is one of the oldest games in the world -- and Hardwood Backgammon has been bringing players together for over 20 years. Whether you're a seasoned player or just learning the board, you'll find a welcoming atmosphere, good company, and a great game. If you're tired of board games dressed up as casinos, you've found your Hardwood Inn. Play online with players worldwide, challenge a friend sitting next to you, or test yourself against our world-class Neural Net AI. For the ultimate face-to-face experience, our exclusive Tablet Board Mode lets you place your device flat on the table like a real backgammon board -- the UI flips automatically between players on each turn. Why Players Keep Coming Back: • Ad-free experience -- no interruptions, ever • World-Class AI: Neural Net engine plays like a real opponent, not a pushover • Play Anywhere: Solo, online, or local multiplayer -- no internet required for solo • Tablet Board Mode: Place your device flat and play face-to-face just like a real board • Full Match Play with doubling cube support • Competitive Edge: Online tournaments and global leaderboards • Immersive Experience: Stunning environments and high-quality audio • Total Customization: Unique boards, checkers, dice, and backgrounds -- available with tokens, purchasable anytime Sign in with your Hardwood account across all our games and your cosmetics come with you. One collection, every game. Want online chat, rated games, and 200 tokens every month? Plus membership is optional and affordable -- your first 30 days are on us. More Hardwood Games: • Hardwood Spades -- the classic trick taking game • Hardwood Euchre -- Jacks are Trump • Hardwood Hearts -- avoid the points • Video Poker Duel -- competitive Video poker for two Prefer a quiet game alone? All of our games can be played solo -- but for the ultimate single player experience, check out Hardwood Solitaire IV, also available on the App Store. Questions, suggestions, or found an issue? We love hearing from our players at support@silvercrk.com ____________________ Hardwood Games Subscriptions are optional and available at a rate of 1 month for $4.99, 3 months for $14.99 or 1 year for $29.99. Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions will auto-renew unless turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Your subscriptions can be managed from your iTunes account settings. Cancellation of subscriptions is not allowed. Our privacy policy may be viewed at http://www.hardwoodgames.com/about/privacy/ Our terms of service may be viewed at http://www.hardwoodgames.com/about/terms/

Screenshots

Backgammon NJ HD4 screens
Hardwood Backgammon Pro3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Hardwood Backgammon Pro at $0.99 against Backgammon NJ HD's $7.99. Hardwood Backgammon Pro also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Backgammon NJ HD's advantage is ratings volume (3.6K vs 15). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 HD costs $7.99 and Hardwood Backgammon Pro $0.99 up front. Backgammon NJ HD sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Hardwood Backgammon Pro sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hardwood Backgammon Pro holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backgammon NJ HD has 3.6K ratings behind it against 15, 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 57% of Hardwood Backgammon Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backgammon NJ HD ships an update every 5 months, Hardwood Backgammon Pro every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Backgammon NJ HD versus Hardwood Backgammon Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackgammon NJ HDHardwood Backgammon Pro
Price$7.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.5 (3.6K ratings)4.7 (15 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.7% of reviews57.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.6K — better15
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#109 — better#186
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS15.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB95 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperJimmy HuSilver Creek Entertainment

Customer experience

Backgammon NJ HD

All ratings3,647 ratings
Positive88.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews574 reviews
Positive55.7%
Neutral7.8%
Negative36.4%

Hardwood Backgammon Pro

All ratings15 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral9.5%
Negative33.3%

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

Hardwood Backgammon Pro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Backgammon NJ HD

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

Hardwood Backgammon Pro

Subscriptions4
  • Plus Membership$4.991 Month
  • Plus Membership$14.993 Months
  • Plus Membership$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • 12 Month Plus Membership$29.991 Year
One-time11
  • Pack of 80 Tokens$0.99
  • Pack of 165 Tokens$1.99
  • Plus Membership$2.99
Show 8 more
  • Pack of 425 Tokens$4.99
  • 1 Month Plus Membership$4.99
  • Pack of 865 Tokens$9.99
  • Plus Membership$19.99
  • Pack of 1800 Tokens$19.99
  • 12 Month Plus Membership$29.99
  • Plus Membership$29.99
  • 12 Month Plus Membership$34.99

Questions

Is Backgammon NJ HD free?
Backgammon NJ HD costs $7.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Hardwood Backgammon Pro free?
Hardwood Backgammon Pro costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Backgammon NJ HD or Hardwood Backgammon Pro?
Hardwood Backgammon Pro is rated higher. Backgammon NJ HD averages 4.5 out of 5 from 3.6K ratings, while Hardwood Backgammon Pro averages 4.7 from 15 ratings.
Do Backgammon NJ HD or Hardwood Backgammon Pro have ads?
Neither Backgammon NJ HD nor Hardwood Backgammon Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Backgammon NJ HD or Hardwood Backgammon Pro?
Backgammon NJ HD ships an update every 5 months, and Hardwood Backgammon Pro every 2 months. Most recently, Backgammon NJ HD was updated on September 22, 2026 and Hardwood Backgammon Pro on September 9, 2026.
Which is more popular, Backgammon NJ HD or Hardwood Backgammon Pro?
Backgammon NJ HD currently peaks at #109 in the App Store charts, and Hardwood Backgammon Pro at #186. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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