YOGI123  I've been using Absolute backgammon for about a year now and absolutely love it. The gameplay is intuitive, graphics are excellent and the developer has been very responsive to any inquiries I've had and has shown he is committed to improving the game.

The new "tutor" mode with its many different evaluation criteria is great and will assist both beginners and more experienced players.

If you are looking for quality Backgammon for the Mac - you've found it.  
(Version 6.5.1)

GAMMONSOFT  Too bad there are jerks around like Mario below The problems were on his side. The interface is not buggy. The game has been around for 6 years now. People love it.  
(Version 6.5)

MARCO.ZUNINO  Absolute Backgammon is the most painful experience I had with any application that I purchased. This is my first review on MacUpdate and albeit I usually do not like to write negative reviews, this time I am ANGRY!

First of all, when you register it you do not get immediately the code. Instead you will need to send the author a mail with your name, address, and a 3 letter code that the program gives you. I did it, and I received an answer is a reasonable time. But when I tried to insert the code... SURPRISE! The 3 letters change and my password was not valid. I wrote to the author again, of course, and instead of sending me immediately a correct password, he started to ask me questions like if I installed the application of a different computer, which I did not. I found the whole experience frustrating and offensive. At the moment I still do not know if he will send me a correct code or not. So, essentially, even if you pay for it, you are not sure that you can play it. I guess this is the reason why you have also the option to purchase a pre-registered version, sent by email, at a more expensive price.

The main reason for the one star is of course the one described above. Otherwise the program would be nice, albeit not perfect. The interface is a bit buggy. For instance, if you want to move two different pieces, sometimes you are forced to do it in a specific order. That is you will need to cancel the first move, do the second, and then do the first again. Also please notice that this is a PowerPC only application. It will work on Intel Macs, but why not to provide a universal version?

I will have a try at BGBlitz instead.  
(Version 6.5)

KEVINWPARKER  I haven't played Backgammon on my Mac since the very old days when there was a black-and-white program that filled the 9-inch screen of my Fat Mac. So I was pleased to see MacUpdate offering a discount on this one.

I've only played it for two days but am fairly pleased so far. It took some getting used to as some of the details on how to pick up and put down pieces differed from the old MacGammon (or whatever it was called). Once I got settled in to that, I was satisfied.

Appearance is good, game play is good. I'm running with the default settings right now for the opponent, who seems remarkably aggressive to me, leaving pips exposed that I would never leave exposed, even to send one back. It seems to be at a competitive level for me, neither too stupid nor totally beyond me.

I have some sympathy for the "cheating" accusations as it seems to be very good at getting doubles right after the stakes are raised. But I thought that about the old game, too, so I'm assuming it's just some quirk of human psychology.

I don't know what sort of alternatives there are out there, but I'm pretty happy with this one.  
(Version 6.1.4)

PAULTHEPIPER  I have played this game hundreds of times (am I sad?) and I am now convinced the dice rolls are contrived. I do not have a clue how it is done especially as I have checked the rolls against the random list that ends up on my desktop at the beginning of the game. You get this list by going to Preferences then misc. Check the box entitled Save dice rolls to "Random Dice Rolls" file.

Most of the doubles are in favour of the computer towards the end of the game which removes the computer pieces very quickly and you loose. Also the rolls favour the computer in setting up "blots" in it's home board near the beginning of the game which makes it difficult for you to get back in.

Now, there is a sure fire way to overcome these problems albeit that it slows the game right down. Use a manual dice (real or electronic) and select Enter Manual Dice Rolls from the actions menu. This way the game is played very differently none of the above mentioned problems occur and it is also guaranteed to be fair.

On the plus side Absolute Backgammon scores very high for graphics and movements of the pieces. Just don't let it cheat on you!  
(Version 6.1.4)

STUDIOPELLETIER  I have to agree with WANGCHUNG. This game makes me mad with rage. I laugh (not because it's funny), i cry, i want to throw my computer up against the wall. I'm a fairly good player on the board but the way the computer consistently gets the best possible roll WHEN it needs it (and how i get the worse possible rolls) is out of this world. I have tried different settings but no luck. I do win from time to time, but after about 300 games the overall experience is just not fun. I so wanted to like this game. I refuse to play it anymore. Wish i could get my money back. An online version could be fun though, as in NOT playing against the computer.  
(Version 6.0.9)

PERFECTLYCOOL  I have played many different types of online backgammon. AB 6.0.6 is by FAR the best I have ever played! The board/s and graphics are superb. Shame about the talking voices (yes, I have turned them off). For $25. you can't go wrong. Buy and enjoy!  
(Version 6.0.6)

17SOFT  David Byrum's Backgammon game was everything I was hoping for and more. As commented on before, there is no lack of Backgammon games out there, but this one provides sophisticated options that allow for various rules, skill levels, and even the 'manner' in which your computer opponant approaches the game.

The graphics are beautiful and many alternative styles are available for free downloads. Fun, challenging, and nice to look at. I'd call that a win.  
(Version 6.0.5)

LEFTNOTRACKS  Bugs in current version:

A legal gammon was recorded as a single game win with all pieces in inner table, but none borne off. Perhaps the game's rules for what constitutes a gammon are incorrect.

Still can't double beyond 64. There's no excuse for that short-sighted omission.

Despite these, it still plays the most challenging game for any computer opponent. Thumbs still way up there.  
(Version 6.0.5)

GREYOWL54  Backgammon games aren't hard to find .. but none looks as good as this one. Quite simply the look and feel alone are enough to make you want to keep playing. Me? I'm ready to go again, right now ..  
(Version 6.0.2)