Foo - Does anyone play Backgammon?

Ive been bitten by the Backgammon bug, and play at least as often
as I look at BF. Does anyone else play?

Its been quite a while since I've played, but yes I have.

Yes...I used to be waaaay into it a few years ago. It was not long ago that Stacey and I arranged to play online, but she came down sick and was unable to play. We haven't rescheduled yet (that was only a few weeks ago).

Do you play with the Jellyfish backgammon?

You can also try Pogo (http://www.pogo.com).

You can also try Pogo (http://www.pogo.com).

LOL...that's the one that Stacey came up with. That's the one we were going to play on.

"Back in the day", I used to play on yahoo games.

I use a rather unique handle on pogo, "Ritehsedad". :p

Backgammon is evil. It is a tool of the devil.

This has nothing to do with the fact that Mrs. Mouse always beats the crap out of me at backgammon.

Backgammon is evil. It is a tool of the devil.

This has nothing to do with the fact that Mrs. Mouse always beats the crap out of me at backgammon.

:roflmao:


Backgammon is one of the most difficult games to program a strong AI for. There are so many possible next moves that AI engines just can't "look ahead" very far. That being said....that Jellyfish backgammon I mentioned can sure beat the hell out of me. It's an AI backgammon engine that the pros use to practice on apparently.
http://www.jellyfish-backgammon.com/

I never played it until rather recently. In fact, it was part of a trader training program with a firm I was with. We had internal tournaments going daily. I taught my wife, and now we play fairly regularly.

I used to really be into it during the 70's. Then I got into playing Scrabble for a while. Those are are only board games that ever gotten into. I haven't played a board game in quite a number of years.

The best computer Backgammon game, including pro level IA is called "Snowy", and it costs about $500.

I play online on Gammon Empire, I gave up on Yahoo Games- People are rude and have no idea
how to use the doubling cube.

The best computer Backgammon game, including pro level IA is called "Snowy", and it costs about $500.

I play online on Gammon Empire, I gave up on Yahoo Games- People are rude and have no idea
how to use the doubling cube.

Hmmmm....I always thought Jellyfish was "the" AI game...now I may have to look into Snowy (if they have a free version like Jellyfish), though I don't know why....I can't even beat Jellyfish past about level 6 or so.

I think it's been at least 20 years.....

Ive been bitten by the Backgammon bug, and play at least as often
as I look at BF. Does anyone else play?

Yup.

The best computer Backgammon game, including pro level IA is called "Snowy", and it costs about $500.


- it'd be interesting to play 'Snowie' against GNU Backgammon (http://www.gnubg.org/index.php?itemid=8)

(which is free and comes w/source code)

:-)

Correction: The version I mentioned is spelled "Snowie" and costs between $190 and $380 depending on which version you want, and if you download or have CDs shipped.

- it'd be interesting to play 'Snowie' against GNU Backgammon (http://www.gnubg.org/index.php?itemid=8)

(which is free and comes w/source code)

:-)

This page seems to mention some contests like that...but I can't read them as nearly every link is blocked by my company's server.

http://www.gammon-play.com/

Can anybody check the links and report the:
snowie vs. jellyfish
snowie vs. gnu

This page seems to mention some contests like that...but I can't read them as nearly every link is blocked by my company's server.

http://www.gammon-play.com/


- the page uses an insidious method of getting around Adbock by using tinyurl for referring swf ads!

(and all referenced links are themselves javascript refers to other such pages (which come up blank in my browser due to my use of noScript)

I really like backgammon and Cribbage, but my family members really don't like to play either.

"Come on", I taunt, "It will be a short game!"

:D

At least one of them likes to play Magic.

I would like to find a good computer/PDA backgammon game, one that doesn't make moves at the speed of light and gets the most unbelievable rolls when it needs it.

I also enjoy Settlers of Catan, but seem to have lost the game...that is, I can't find it!

I really like backgammon and Cribbage, but my family members really don't like to play either.
....
I would like to find a good computer/PDA backgammon game, one that doesn't make moves at the speed of light and gets the most unbelievable rolls when it needs it.

I used to play cribbage with my mom. Nobody else in the family ever got into the game though.

For a backgammon game like you describe, you might look into the Sierra games game pack that has backgammon. They typically have different players at different skill levels. It's a little more fun than just playing the faceless computer and selecting a skill level. The players are all unique, have faces and say different things as you play.

As far as the fantastic rolls.....it only seems like its planned. A good skill on the computer sets up a good board so that there are a lot of rolls that turn out to be fantastic moves so it seems like they are getting "the perfect roll".

Ive downloaded "MVP Backgammon". MY 30 day trial ran out, and Im thinking about buying the full version. It has different skilled AI players, but I still think there is some weird probablilty going on with impossible rolls.

Ive downloaded "MVP Backgammon". MY 30 day trial ran out, and Im thinking about buying the full version. It has different skilled AI players, but I still think there is some weird probablilty going on with impossible rolls.

I doubt it. I thought the same thing with Jellyfish for the longest time. It took me a few YEARS of playing it off/on before I could finally see that it was just good set up that made it seem that way.

Yes, I play backgammon when I can find another player, and sometimes play online. Fair warning however - I have an arrangement with the Dice Management staff in Hell, who provide me with good dice rolls on request. Just wish the Dice Management demons didn't get the numbers wrong so often. Must be hard to get good staff in Hell.

Yes, I play backgammon when I can find another player, and sometimes play online. Fair warning however - I have an arrangement with the Dice Management staff in Hell, who provide me with good dice rolls on request. Just wish the Dice Management demons didn't get the numbers wrong so often. Must be hard to get good staff in Hell.

Damn the demon dice directors....they don't do diddly compared to their design.