What are /r/backgammon's favorite Products & Services?

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Most programs use a neural net for the evaluation function, combined with a shallow search (2-3 moves for each side) with some sort of pruning. You can then add different networks for different situations, and add a bearoff database.

You can train the network using rollouts. The bearoff database is created with some sort of smart exhaustive search. You can probably use gnubg's bearoff database or neural network if you don't want to compute/train your own.

https://www.coursera.org/course/ml has a fairly good introduction to neural networks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimax can get you thinking about game tree stuff.

I haven't upgraded to High Sierra yet, but I can run gnubg just fine on Sierra. It requires you to have XQuartz installed, which used to be included in macOS (as X11.app) but is now a separate download.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.aifactory.backgammonfree&hl=en_US

Used it for years and never had concerns it was rigged. It has stats pages to review previous rolls as well as a manual entry mode so you can roll the dice yourself if you're super paranoid.

Since I last looked there's some kind of "Gaming Labs Certified" label in the settings too.

Feel free to get inspiration from my solution: https://codepen.io/dzsobacsi/pen/LprKQo

Today, I would probably do that with SVG instead of canvas, but that time the main purpose was to play with canvas, try and practice it. this is the result. I planned to implement drag&drop movement of checkers but it did not happen.

Storing board state is my own design. I am sure there is easier, nicer, better solution for that.

Sometimes buttons are upside down. The idea is that 2 people play with each other on a tablet. This is actually doable already with this small app.

If you're looking to use something that's already made, here's a link to one that I think is pretty good.

http://game-icons.net/delapouite/originals/backgammon.html

If you're looking for something to make, I think would be a cool if you had a pip layout on the outside of your suitcase and you could fill it up with pieces that are collected from tournaments / places you go to. Kind of like a 50 states quarter card or pokemon badge collection.

My first book was "The Backgammon Book" by Jacoby & Crawford:

https://www.amazon.com/Backgammon-Book-Oswald-Jacoby/dp/0670144096

I've always found it to be a great resource. However, I've read some of the strategy and analysis may be a bit dated now - so I did recently purchase Marc's "badass' book. Looking forward to learning from that!

You might give our app, Backgammon NJ Online, a try. It's real-time play, no tickets, no betting, no ads, and free for a few matches per day.

It's not as customizable (match-wise) as game colony since we use Google Play Games and not our own server. Also, our Android online user base isn't that large, so it could be harder to find a match, depending on the match length you're looking for. But still worth a try since you're looking for real-time, and it's free. :)

It’s called “The World is Big and Salvation Lurks Around the Corner” (link to IMDb page). Long title but it’s a good movie. It’s Bulgarian but you can get a new or used DVD of it on Amazon with English subtitles. Backgammon has a big role in it but it doesn’t really get into the game itself. It more uses the game as a metaphor for life, which I can appreciate.

You actually want your checkers to the LEFT so you can take more off before opening your board both increasing your Gammon odds and just your general winning odds as you'll have more checkers off if you due get hit on bear-in. This book will instantly improve your game: https://smile.amazon.com/Endgame-Technique-Backgammon-Michihito-Kageyama/dp/1733907505/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=10KX5KII74JA4&keywords=Michihito&qid=1653767174&sprefix=michihito%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-3

u/Feweddy is absolutely correct. If you spent as much as you say you did, the manufacturer should stand behind the product and offer a replacement.

If for whatever reason you can't get one (like this was advertised used, through a 3rd party seller with no warranty, etc) there's not much you can do with that grain and finish.

They do sell "furniture markers" fairly cheap that can usually do a good enough job to hide the scratch unless someone is closely inspecting the board.

This is one example of a set, although I'm using this for illustrative purposes and don't necessarily endorse this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Furniture-Repair-Kit-Wood-Markers/dp/B07PHQCH4C/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3N7E3XN9ES6KW&keywords=furniture+markers&qid=1651697980&sprefix=furniture+ma%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-3

What sort of features are you looking for in a Android Backgammon game?
Hardwood Backgammon is available on Android. (and is cross platform, so you can play with folks on iOS, Windows, Mac, and Fire tablets)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.silvercrk.backgammon\_thd\_free&hl=en\_US&gl=US

https://www.amazon.com/Sondergut-Roll-Up-Suede-Backgammon-Color-Mocha/dp/B002D2Q4NK

these ones appear to be normal size

I have GNUBG running on Mac. You need Homebrew.

In a terminal you need to run

brew install xquartz

Once that's done

brew install gnubg

Launch XQuartz, then open an XQuartz terminal and run

gnubg

https://www.amazon.com/Sondergut-Roll-Up-Suede-Backgammon-Color-Mocha/dp/B002D2Q4NK/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=roll+up+backgammon+set&qid=1615834232&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWVpFUEpSQk9GWkxTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTUwNjA2MjlWNzBRMUZHQTVYTCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzI3OTA0OEhST0ROSEg2QklYJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I have one and I love it.

I use this witch app: Bubble Witch

Kidding aside, I use XG backgammon mobile

I've never used it for playing against others, but it's got very good AI.

While I don't know the exact reason the XG dev requested certain Android permissions, it's very unlikely that the permissions were requested to spy on you. Since XG Mobile is ad-supported, it's possible that some of the permissions are used as part of the ad system. However, I do know that the "Device ID & call information" permission is not required for a license check or sound. The license check permission is categorized under "Other", as can be seen in the permission details of the BGNJ listing.

The link below would be a decent introductory board. If you're just starting out a mid-sized board would be a good choice. It's not an overly large table hog tourneyment sized board and also not so small either that rolling and movement are difficult. This appears to be a good size to have a decent rolling area and allow for unrestricted chip movement. Some people like the clank of a wooden board but in my opinion a felt is better for chip movement. If you, or your sister, decide later on to upgrade there is a board to fit every personality and budget.

Smart Tactics Premium Backgammon Set - Large 17'' Wood & PU Leather Folding Backgammon Board Game - Green / White / Red Felt Interior - Includes Dice Cups, Doubling Cube & Instruction Manual https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HETP874/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_fabc_gjxZFb9DJBQ4W

I found mine on amazon

You should be able to get them pretty much anywhere. I found one here for $70 in clear acrylic, but honestly you can get one for much cheaper elsewhere just by searching for "dice tower" (dice towers tend to be opaque; not sure if that's a deal breaker for you).

Looking at the one I linked to, if you have the tools (table saw, router, or even just a utility knife and patience), you should be able to make that yourself out of a sheet or two of plexi for a fraction of the cost. Just google "DIY dice tower plans".

Edit: Found a clear acrylic one for $15 on Amazon. Buy some felt and glue it to the baffles and you're golden.

For that budget a used board is your best bet.

If you want to buy new then I suggest going to amazon.com and sorting by reviews. I have this one at home and it's a perfectly fine starter board. There are some issues however. The points are stitched so the checkers don't glide easily. And the bottom panel of one of the dice cups came loose recently, but I can just glue it back (cup is still structurally intact).

That's the good one. There's also an app for it called DG Mobile. I use it on Android, not sure if there's an IOS version. You probably still need to sign up on the site.

Edit: Here's a link to the Android App. It doesn't seem to exist for Apple devices but there's a different one available on the App Store that seems to be well liked.

Hey,

I am having a blast over at VIP Games. It fits your requirements, as it is an online gaming platform featuring not only Backgammon but many popular cards and board games.

There are numerous social features and playing with your friends via Custom Rooms is one of them. You can match up against real players and also make new friends to play with whenever your buddy is offline.

Go here to download their app.

I like game colony's app. 'Backgammon Club" by gameclubusa.com

live players, rated. Has a lot of ads though. Here's a link.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gccolony.backgammon

I also have one of these, I love it!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MELU99A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use mine all the time. Very durable, made out of very soft suede.

In addition to the links at bkgm.com there is an app for Android.

Most sites / apps have an option to turn the pip count display off.

You could just ignore the pip count altogether as well.

Get a dailygammon.com account, and get DG Mobile (Android only).

DG is only real players. Has a very low-tech interface and offers asynchronous gameplay.

You can also play on the website (no Android needed). You can either join tournaments, which will affect your rating (track improvements!), or invite randoms or real life friends who also have DG accounts.

One other resource that hasn't been mentioned: The official cheat sheet has all opening rolls, including when to play what depending on Gammon Go/Gammon Save, plus all the second-roll replies. I'm not aware of all that information in one place anywhere else. And I like to have physical guides to consult. Well worth investing in: https://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide-Winning-Backgammon-Version/dp/B00EL0350C

They are plastic, but they have a little bit of heft to them. Doesn't feel cheap at all in my opinion.

Here is the amazon link in case you are interested.

Did you mean Conquering Backgammon. Great book for beginners all the way through to advanced.

DG Mobile You'll need an account on DailyGammon. I think you have to join games and tournaments on the site too. It might be possible but I've never started a game from within the app. (I haven't had it too long)

I prefer Backgammon - Real Players. Free to play, more players, better futures and only one were you can play live backgammon tournaments. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gccolony.backgammon