Geert's Backgammon for Windows

I downloaded this game many, many years ago, and didn't know it was still available. Just wish there were an Android version.If it's still like the version I used to play, you can replay a game swapping dice rolls. If the program cheated, it would then cheat for you. I don't think it cheats.

I can't believe I ran across these reviews today... I downloaded this game at least 10 years ago and have played at least 10,000 games in that time. (I usually fire it up when I'm doing something resource intensive and can't use other programs at the same time--but can always open geert's.) Yes, I love backgammon and I love that this game is self-contained in a single .exe on my computer, and it's quick and CAN mimic a good game once in a while, but YES ABSOLUTELY DOES THIS THING CHEAT! I worked up many cuss-word tornadoes over the years before it became more than obvious how devious this game is. Sadly, it hasn't kept me from opening it up again and again... I've never gotten another game to substitute for it. (But gosh it still pisses me off! >_< ) This would be a fantastic piece of software if it actually used random dice rolls on every play, but it doesn't. And not even Geert himself could convince me otherwise. User beware! ;)

It cheats, but not how you think.. I don't think it's the randomness of the dice algorithm that is in question. I've corresponded with the author, and he maintains (in very precise language), that the dice are truly random. That may be so as far as the random function, but I am sure that there is code in the game that allows the computer player the option of discarding the roll if it does not provide an advantage on that move. It is not done on every play, otherwise it would be abundantly clear that it was cheating, but just enough so that a very skilled player, who should easily gain a 70-30 advantage over time (say 500 games), is limited to, at best, 60-40, and more likely 50-50 in the case of an intermediate player. The difference between a skilled player and game of this caliber should be that the human can devise out of the norm strategies to confound the computer, but it doesn't work out that way, ergo my conclusion that it cheats. Pros: It is fast Cons: Fairness and transparency.

One of the few stand alone backgammon games out there.. It can be frustrating as the computer seems to have an uncanny ability to get the rolls it needs at the most convenient times. However, unlike human opponents you might play on the Internet, it never gives up and goes away in the middle of a game. I only wish there was a fair version of it.

Like it, But It's Frustrating. I agree with the review above. Although I like having the game on my computer that I can play it anywhere, even w/o an Internet connection, and play the computer instead of an unknown person who may just leave the game in the middle, the dice more often than not do seem to come to the computer. On a real board with real dice I have played many people over the many yrs of my backgammon playing. From novice to very good I can usually attain at least a 50/50 with the best players I know. W/Geert's I have to cheat as much as the computer does (switch sides) or I would lose most of the time... about 75-80% I would guess.I can be 30 or more points ahead near the end of the game, but as soon as the computer pieces pass mine, everything changes. Doubles and exacting rolls happen with regular frequency in favor of the computer player, while I'm often left with double 1's or a 1+2 roll. I may not be an expert, but I know I'm a better player than that. I should be able to get at least a 50/50 on the medium setting of any game.This software should be updated with a better, more random set of dice. That's the most frustrating part of this game. Pros: Player is always there Cons: The computer cheats;Automatically generated dice

Geert's Backgammon. it cheats!!!When the game is rolling the dice, it always gets the roll it needs.ExampleIf it needs a 4 to put you on the bar, it rolls double 4'sIf there is only one possible combination of the dice, to put you on the bar, that is the combination it rolls! Pros: quick and fun Cons: it cheats!!!