title image

Play vs. AI, friend, or online

Ratings

Age

4+

Category

Board

Languages

English

Screenshot
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Ratings & Reviews
Best backgammon game available
Sun Oct 13 2024 gupta finelli

The graphics aren’t as snazzy nor are the sound effects as crisp as some other BG games but there is no equal to the uniquely realistic gameplay in BGNJ. The AI is superb, the gameplay is fair. Any reports of “rigging of the dice” is a delusion in the mind of the player. Tutor modes and game analysis allow you to see your errors and really improve your game. Another highlight, the “league” of players is small but highly skilled and devoted. Best of all there is no constant “buy in” for chips or coins. You buy the game once and that’s it. The rest is playing and improving your ER. There is a crashing issue that seems to be a function of Game Center, so says the developer. It’s still the best game out there. One suggestion: open up the microphone. Then players could talk to each other in real time. Would save typing in the chat window and would make the game very social.

Stacked against you
Wed Aug 06 2025 Brice the Red

While the game play is good, the fact that the developer has to build in a “the game doesn’t cheat” answer into the App should tell you something. When you get to higher levels, the AI nearly always goes first, and is absolutely aware of the upcoming roles. So while the developer says there can’t be any cheating because all of the roles are known and it’s not favoring the AI, that’s just fundamentally false. The AI does know all the upcoming rolls and knows exactly how to play them. So you will see it time and time again playing a perfect game because it knows exactly what it’s die are going to be, and exactly how to win the game. Can you beat this game on hard? Yes. Is everything in favor of the AI?? You’ll be the judge. Update: I read another review that said if you switch to manual rolls, you’ll see just how skewed the game is toward AI. This turned out to be 100% correct. When I started using manual rolls, the whole game shifted again, even at the hardest level. The AI performed much worse, confirming my belief that the game is stacked against you. That’s a bummer because you don’t want to have to manual roll every game. But at least now I know I’m not insane… and started winning games again. Lol.

Excellent game impossible rolls for computer
Thu May 23 2019 Bigkidsdad

Read reviews thought many were sour grapes poor backgammon players but have to say after playing over 3100 games whether I am a horrible backgammon player or not it is impossible for the computer to get “out” as quickly as it does with one opening when my player can be bumped for 5-7 turns with three slots open as often as it does. My win percentage hovers around 35% on expert which is a trigger number for “hope” in most studies for failure. Again I may be a miserable backgammon player but I can tell you the roll the computer will get when I leave an open chip or have computer bumped more then not. Would love to see computer get locked like I do with 50% open slots but after 3100+ games it is not likely to happen. Empirically the game cheats and that is not because I lose but because I have yet to see it run into a stream of bad rolls like I get (and anyone would get if playing a regular game). I have seen the “risk management” arguments and I dismiss them because it is not about losing (I have a friend who pummels me when we play about the same as the computer and I can get him on a bad run of rolls like I get, not the computer). Anyhow it seems by reading the reviews the developer has no interest in “fixing” this so play and enjoy if u can.

Great for practice, but so dishonest that is hurts
Wed Feb 21 2024 devitre

Whatever posts you’ll read, this is by far the best backgammon app by far to practice your skills. However, and that comes with the package, don’t expect to get a fair fighting chance in Expert mode. The rolls are rigged, yes, and actually designed to keep you up on your toes for the worst possible outcome. You will face a ridiculous amount of 7 rolls and doubles. Just think of it as tough practice. If you play the computer on manual rolls in Expert Mode, you will see the difference. The computer obviously can’t look at the upcoming rolls nor can it count on rolling 7 or high doubles. You will notice how less aggressive the computer attacks and how timidly it plays the doubling cube. The only problem with this app is the dishonesty of its developers. Their so-called AI in Expert mode is a fraud. If they would call it “Worst case” you’d at least have a sense of what you’re up against. Which is a shame because this is by far the smoothest and most addictive backgammon app on the market. Why not throw the players a bone and reduce the rage, and the number of times this app has been deleted and reloaded again? Oliver

Plays well but unrealistic
Fri Mar 10 2017 PHK1853

I believe that the look and feel of This backgammon app is the best out there. I have read many other reviews and I have noticed that the developer is maniacally defensive about comments that the game is skewed toward the AI. I have to say, though, that after having played literally thousands of games on this app, there is absolutely no doubt that it is skewed toward the AI. Yes, I have a slight winning record but the incredible number of times the AI gets perfect rolls is just ridiculous. There is no risk a human player can make that will go unpunished and no opportunity for the AI that will go unfulfilled. I've also noticed that the game is "streaky". When I realize that the streak is in my favor I know I can make riskier plays,and play more conservatively when the streak is against me. The game has such good motion, appearance, and fluid motion I have been reluctant to give up on it. The time has come, though, where my frustration with the game has superseded the positive attributes. When the developer makes changes in logic to achieve more realistic outcomes I will gladly come back, but for now I am done with this game.

It’s good, but….
Sun Nov 26 2023 bike-rider-23$

This is a good backgammon game, better than most. The author claims that the game is honest, and the dice are random, at least random for computer; I’m not in the position to debate that. However, I did play the game with real dice using the manual dice entry option(kudos to the author for including this option). The games are nowhere the same. With the computer generated rows, there are amazing far-fetched finishes. With with dice rolls, the amazing finishes rarely occur, much closer to real life. I also find that I lose many more games with the computer generator rolls. The chances of my winning with dice are significantly better. I don’t know why this is the case, but I do know the computer does have an advantage with computer generated rules; so I have no idea where that advantage comes from. regardless, this is one of the better backgammon games available.

Satisfied
Fri Mar 30 2018 Mystery Base

Unsatisfied that dice rolls are scripted and predetermined. Unrealistic combinations and repeat doublets are a source of consternation. Needs real-time dice rolling algorithm! After several hundred games I feel I am improving, albeit slowly. Wish there was more strategic guidance or tables of rolls/percentages to reference (though pointless the way dice are implemented here). Online can be okay though plagued by amateurs doubling at odd times, preoccupied with accumulating match points and not focused on the game in front of them. Some players slow to move or abandon games- should be penalty/forfeit here. Maybe this is implemented, it’s been along while since I played online. There are good books on the game which detail strategy and risk management. I suggest looking into them and playing on a real board to fully realize what a nice pastime this addictive game can be.

Inconsistent
Sun Mar 10 2024 Pia0953

Regardless of your skill level the ai or algorithm that is used has a impact on your skill level. Someone who is new can realize a quick climb in one’s score in order to keep them interested and to keep playing. A more experienced player has extreme ups and downs, rolls by opponents are suspect and to keep the app as a on-going concern will force you to play people who have a like score. If you choose to play people with a skill level like or above you your score will adjust (ai) so your score is driven down to play those people. I probably have 15 years experience on this app and over 500k games so I know the cycles in which you may fall. Simply put you don’t get a real life experience but one in which the ai deems necessary for at that time. Pia0953.

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