XG Mobile Backgammon

The engine is solid and comparable to the PC version Xavier produced Extreme2. It also captures the market for the "kids" coming out of high school and college. For those that say it cheats and I have read a few reviews you need to compare or run prpositions in other engines with the results. This isn't intended to just be you playing the device....it's a learning tool.

If you want to learn backgammon, this is your app. I was skeptical at first, but the tutor mechanism is fantastic. Went from not knowing how to play to analysing positions and situations in just a few days. Even beat my grandpa once or twice. Simple, intuitive controls and gui, non-intrusive ads, and an emphasis on developing skill. This is a five star app for sure.

XG is great for playing alone and can even improve your game. However, it cheats to the point that it's almost not worth playing. How many times can it enter a five point board on the first try, while I dance on the bar for 5+ rolls with a three point board? During the bear off it's common for it to roll multiple doubles to win the game...

Annoyingly XG no longer allows me to launch it without my phone being connected to the internet. Also the app sometimes shows no board, only a black background with checkers. Will be using Backgammon NJ from now on, has similar strength with better features and reliability. XG has not been updated for over two years and customer support is nonexistent.

I understand the limitations and need to stay in business, but wondering if they'd have better luck at $.99 or even $5 for the pro version. Seems to need an internet connection, as it was crashing on a plane at launch on a brand new phone.

You can learn a lot about backgammon from this app using the tutor mode. It is also handy to be able to setup a position and analyze it. No this app does not cheat. Only downside is that it crashes sometimes on my Galaxy S6.

Basically, if you're playing against the CPU at Expert level in the free app, it's like playing against the baddie in 007 Octopussy: Always double 6 for them. And double 6 for you only if you fence. I have a theory: They're rigging it to keep us hooked and try to beat the CPU. But the dice are rigged. Mildly useful to learn the games but not 100% fair.

Great piece of software for professional standard backgammon. However the paid version seems to need a connection to the internet to initialise the engine, otherwise it crashes. I emailed support but received no response. Can the people who say the dice are rigged realise that it appears that way because they are being outplayed. Otherwise provide statistical evidence.

This is better than the other four I downloaded. The one with the obvious reviews was a rubbish player. I wanted 247 I used to use on pc which has a school and money betting if I remember but not ok on android. I play 'expert' so I don't see so many stupid moves by opponent.

I do think there should be more customizable options and better graphics. Also make a lil simpler to set up a position. And more analysis of positions. I really dislike the sound when the checkers are moved maybe have another option for this as well.

Gameplay is smooth and AI seems legitimate. The one thing I noticed is the options menu doesn't scroll smoothly. I also wish it would go a little slower when autoplaying moves or just as the opponent plays it's hard to watch their strategy.

I have been playing this app for many months on the XG Expert level. After hundreds of games and thousands of rolls, the patterns become so obvious that I can predict the next roll based on certain situations that will come up during normal game play in numerous games over time. If this app used truly random dice rolls, it would deserve 10 stars. I still play it on a daily basis for practice and highly recommend it if you can accept how it's programmed to control the dice rolls in its favor.

OK all people saying that the game doesn't cheat..sorry to crash the party but it sure does. This is a ploy to get you to upgrade to premium. The AI WILL ALWAYS throw perfect rolls because that's what it's programmed to do. If you want a fair game with equal share of luck and skill this is not your game. Uninstalling.

Creating an Algorithm that gives the "computer player" more favorable dice upon doubling is a disingenuous way to make it "Expert". Real-world tournament dice are nothing like this. Providers should reveal their programming facts. ***Fun, but frustrating.

There is no way that this can be random. How is it that in almost every game, the computer manages to get me blocked from coming on board. How is it that if there is a roll that can knock me off, the computer always gets it. I think if one were to analyze the occurrence of optimal rolls, one would find it to be very non random. It's very easy for computer to be Champion when it always gets the roll it needs. Waste of time and money

There seems to be a flaw with a checker on the bar. Double sixes are rolled all too often. I am going to do it statistical analysis to prove this. The double sixes are equal opportunity. It happens to both sides.

Not random dice. Although some lovers of backgammon swear by this app, the dice roles are neither fair or random. Game is weighted in favour of the computer, which produces extrodinary doubles and dice when it needs to, in order to win. It gives loads of doubles to you when you,re losing to balance stats. Still a good training app gor beginners, bit useless for experienced backgammoners. hence 2 stars.

After a while you lose interest in watching the computer throw the perfect roll to catch you out on the single occasion in a whole game when you take a chance. Or the weight of times you don't get anything you need, over a multitude of rolls to come back on. Maybe rolls are purely randomised, but it sure doesn't feel like it. I'm no world champion, but I'm also no mug player either; playing an unlimited session against a human opponent wouldn't see me losing 167:118. Too tough, uninstalled...

If you are serious about improving your game, look no further. Play strength, tutor mode, and analytics blow away the mobile os competition. Better than Snowie on my desktop.

Played 20 games accepting computer prompted moves and lost 80% of games. Computer opponent rolls miraculous rolls 80% of the time. Played another 20 games and won 12 and lost 8 but still computer will get miraculous rolls. If this is recommended by the Pros then they are very stupid players themselves. The computer opponent algorithm has above normal rolls, much better then normal. If you use this as a Tutor you will be misled!! Awful app. I would not recommend this program.

For some reason it keeps shutting down when i don t have internet connection. Can t use in the plane for ex. Would be 5 stars otherwise. I am onbandroid 6.0 on lg g4.

Without a doubt, this is the strongest backgammon app out there. However, the fact that the AI is so strong, still does not excuse the rather lousy game implementation. It crashes frequently and does not start if there is no phone reception. Worse, the tech support is nonexistent. I've emailed them multiple times but never got any reply. Bottom line: if you're a backgammon pro, you probably already own this app. However, if you're simply a player looking for a challenging app, don't waste your money and get NJ Backgammon instead. It's just as strong but far more stable.

... beware the Pro version is unusable without internet connection. Downgraded to 4* pending bug fix.

After one game I knew the AI was quick and robust, and I bought the premium version. The overall presentation is slick...I do wish the sound of the pieces and rolls were much more authentic-sounding, but it's a minor complaint for an otherwise stellar app.

Bit too lucky with the rolls for my liking.. Edited, now been playing the game for some time and it defies logic how it can be so lucky with its rolls! Always manages to get what it needs while i really end up struggling to get a decent role. Must be a fix an so i have uninstalled the game and will stick with human opponents so i know we both get a fair roll.

Very good. Feel like my game has improved. I really wish there was a little more explanation behind each correction. Fix the view/move discrepancy for five stars

AI strength and options for analyses is unmatched. Has all the main functions the desktop programs have. The UI could use some work though. It's not very pretty and also a bit distracting. Also, scrolling through the options is very choppy for me. The AI definitely isn't cheating, but that maybe should be made more clear (look at how bgnj does that). All in all, this is the go-to bg app for me now, and I've tried them all.

The developer should have added in the WHAT'S NEW bug fixes field the following: "Smart AI Dice that will hit you no matter where you are". The dice rolls are fixed. If there is a negative rating; this game deserves a negative infinity stars

I have shown consistently better results with manual dice. It makes it much harder to enter from the bar than normal odds. For example when you have 3 open positions to enter (odds around 3/4 to enter) it gives you 3 times bad dice , meanwhile it will hit more of your men and will close its home positions this changes everything. If it hits you with builder (single) in his home position it gets away , but try to do it yourself..... Be aware before you uninstall it. On manual dice it is very good player!

How can this game make you better when the logic so favors the computer? Sure, bad moves lead to better dice for my opponent, but ive analyzed over100 games gack to Snowie, and only God would rolls that many jokers. Why cant you just let the dice roll, and set the comp levels so it makes no errors on expert, maybe second best option every 8th roll on hard level, second or third best every 10th roll on regular, etc. And the bear off logic difference between expert and advanced is pathetic. Developers response? Dont purchase till fixed, its still a single player game, hence we all are using it to play against the computer!!!

For all the simpletons who run their mouths about how the game isn't fixed while doling out hypocritical insults about intelligence, why don't you actually do some math. Keep stats and you'll see patterns emerge along with completely improbable odds realized before your eyes. Its rigged and it's insulting that the designers think there isnt anyone out there smarter than them. Other annoyances include: game being glitchy on Gal. S4, freezing and intermittent choppy graphics. Minus 10 stars isn't low enough!

this is the best bg game on play store without doubt. excellent ai making consistently the right moves. this is the only bg game ive found on play store that is suited for all players, novice to expert. well done programmers, youve made this how it should be. ps those saying game cheats, you're wrong and are just rubbish in comparison, and those complaining of ai lucky rolls, i find the more i practice the 'luckier' i get.

The comp doesn't cheat despite some idiots thinking so. Great app great way to get better

I love XG Backgammon and I play it on a number of platforms. On my Nexus 5 it crashes after 5 to 30 seconds! Please fix it!

Game is weighted in favour of the computer, which produces extrodinary doubles and dice when it needs to, in order to win. Still a good training app, hence 3 stars.

A quick expert player any time you need one. It has made a goofy move or two that started me scratching my head but it must of had a reason. Like a opening 6-2 that it played 8-2,8-6. Running marshmallow on a Nexus 5X.

AI gets exactly the perfect roll every single roll what a crock of sh*t!! I am done with this app!

Really good play engine. On nexus 6 android L, the game board is completely black. Nothing displays it.

This app doesnt work on my phone. ( sent from my asus zenfone 2)

Just a few niggles. 1) I would like point numbers to change in line with whose player's turn it is. 2) When a point has six men or more, it can be hard to tell at a glance how many there are. There could be an option to show five men and +1 for six men etc. 3) Computer at intermediate sometimes loses a gammon when it had the chance to bear off.