SAUL LANIADO  Had a personal, not program problem, in configuring my game. Received nothing but A1 support, information and help from David. I bought David's to get reacquainted with backgammon and it has fulfilled all my expectations. I highly recommend David's Backgammon.  
(Version 5.8.2)

MARCDESWEEMER  I have used this game for more then two decade and NEVER be worried about the dice points.

It worked with ALL Apple Systems since 7 and if there was an error it was ALWAYS fixed in less then a day.

I'm 62 and a Mac user since 1985 and I have fun with it,

and that is what I want !

Thank you David for all this funny years.

Marc De Sweemer

Belgium  
(Version 5.8.2)

GAMMONSOFT  Glad to hear that the last 2 guys have been enjoying the game for so long.

The dice rolls are selected at the time of the roll using a random number generator. That is true for all skill levels. No cheating going on.

Years of programming and research, as well as playing backgammon, went into creating the skill of the computer opponent, not cheating.  
(Version 5.7.3)

FICHEYE  Well now. I enjoyed reading a comment that reflects, exactly, what I have felt about this game for some time. Thanks for the well worded vindication.

The game is really good, but questions arise when the skill level seems to be defined by the dice rolls and not by actual game play.   
(Version 5.7.3)

BGADDICT  I became a backgammon addict many years ago before the advent of computers. Because there weren't always humans around to play, I played the game less and less as the years went by. I discovered David's game and quickly became addicted (I work for myself at home and have too much non-work time on my hands :) ).

David is very prompt and courteous in his responses to questions and makes the game easy to buy. It's easy to play and a challenge -- to a point -- even for someone who fancies himself a pretty good player, as I do.

The problem is, as I played more and more (at the Club Champ level), it seemed to me more and more that the computer was using the dice rather than strategy to be competitive. I have no scientific basis for this observation, but after a lot of gameplay it just seems that the computer gets the great roll when it needs it. In particular, when the computer needs a particular number, it often seems not only to get that number very often, but also doubles of that number. I suspect that it's programmed to get a high occurrence of that particular number on one die with the other die being random which, of course, often results in doubles of that number.

Also, whenever I'm on the bar I have a much more difficult time getting back in than does the computer, even if there are 3, 4 or even 5 open points. When on the bar I get an extraordinary number of double 6's, which serves 2 purposes: (1) it makes the computer a "better" player; and (2) if someone were to analyze dice rolls, they would find I get my share of double 6's although, unfortunately, almost always at the wrong time. And I can't tell you how many times I've set myself up very well for a prime, needing only to roll either, for example, a 2, 3 or 5, but will consistently fail to roll one of those numbers for several rolls, which is a mathematical improbability to say the least.

I don't want to get overly critical because there is a paucity of backgammon games on the market and David's seems to be about the best. But when you play intensely and reasonably well, as I do, only to see the computer miraculously roll the perfect dice (or roll the worst for me), it gets very frustrating.

At lower levels of expertise I suspect the game is more fun for those who haven't been playing backgammon for more than 30 years (as I have) or for those who are just learning or are novices. I'd love to play a game where the dice rolls are truly random and the AI sophisticated enough to play at my level without the help of the dice. But I've yet to find such a game.

This game is quite a good effort by David but falls short from the AI perspective, at least at the highest level of play.  
(Version 5.7.3)

TED S  I'm a former Vista user and needed backgammon for OS X. This is a great game; however, on my large monitor the dice appeared proportionately small. I emailed David and within a few hours he sent me an upgrade. The dice are right for me now. That's incredible customer service!  
(Version 5.6.2)

CERULEAN  I have been playing this game in an older version for about ten years and have alway enjoyed it. But now that I have purchased the latest version I enjoy it even more. It is well thought out. The graphics are good. It gives lots of choice for personal preferences and it gives hints if you want to have them. I

can highly recommend it.   
(Version 5.6.2)

KCG  David's Backgammon is a very strong product... well thought out, and dependable. With slight polish in some UI areas, it would be perfect. Well worth the money as it is.  
(Version 5.6.2)

VRAIREAL  I used to feel the same way as ficheye until I just garbaged the game. Best move I made since I bought the game a few years ago. I can only say to prospective buyers to go ahead and try the demo and find out by yourselves.

No use to argue with Gammonsoft, since he cannot be neutral about the game, he is trying to make some money with it. What do you expect his comments will be. Make your own opinion and try it before buying.  
(Version 5.6.1)

GAMMONSOFT  Please go past FICHEYEs rantings to get to the honest reviews.

Or you can read all of his posts by clicking on FICHEYE in his posts. I think you will get the picture.  
(Version 5.6.1)

FICHEYE  Nice try. I stopped playing the game eventually. And the best way to get me to stop making comments is to stop digging in your heels about the perfection of your software. Also, disclosing my real name is an incredibly immature move by someone so intelligent and businesslike. Best to have a few positive reviews so that mine just goes down the list. I will report you to the management here since you are supposed to take it like a man when someone has a problem with your software. But I guess that may be the real issue here. By the way, where are all the positive reviews if I am so wrong about the game having some flaws? There should be a cascade, even an avalanche of supporting reviews, then I'd be pushed farther down the list and I'd forget about this game. But....  
(Version 5.6.1)

GAMMONSOFT  I hope you go beyond FICHEYEs ranting's and read the many other reviews by more sane people.

By the way, FICHEYE (Dennis Hastings ) has been enjoying the game for many years now. Here is a direct quote from him 8 years ago in March 2008:

" I love your game."

As of November 2000, he reported to me that he had played over 10,000 games with David's Backgammon.

Go figure!  
(Version 5.6.1)

FICHEYE  Boy, am I chagrined! I have received the dreaded 'five exclamation point' response. One thing is clear... everyone owns a rubber duck. And as long as this game has been around (both forms) there are negative reviewers who feel somewhat like I do. Never fear, because we are 'out of our element'... we can't possibly know anything... even noticing some slight problems in gameplay, or saying that the game isn't quite perfect gets a response meant to 'hush you up'. So...

This is a beautiful game. Perfect in every way. You will find the computer opponent to be fiercely intelligent. You will never notice any gameplay inequities because there aren't any. Buy this game. You won't be sorry. And if there are odd 'occurrences'of chance during a game, it's all in your imagination which you don't have very much of or YOU would have developed a game as fantastic as this one. Get on board! And remember... don't think you know anything, because it's all an illusion... knowing requires thinking, and that is just too difficult for us mere mortals. And remember... don't make any comments that might seem knowledgeable because you are 'out of your element' and you don't have the right swimmin' suit!!!!!

In conclusion ( and in all seriousness), I have to say this: Most people who make negative comments really do appreciate the skill required to create a game such as this. And the game(s) is/are very good for the most part. There are just times when there are weird things that happen (I'd better not say what they are), and, therefore, people will always make comments about these things that we can't possibly understand. You'll just have to forgive us. In the long run it is much better to have a nice beverage and play lots of games with a real person, using a real board and real dice. I now bow out of this 'discussion' most completely.  
(Version 5.6.1)

FICHEYE  There are a lot of pro's and cons about any backgammon game. I have played this game a lot, and have found the dice rolls to be strangely in favor of the computer in many situations. The developer says NO. And there are defenders of this software as well. But here is the true story.

Until the development of true artificial intelligence for computers, the only way for the programmer to make it seem like there is a 'human' playing against you is for it to go into a mode where it favors itself for a series of rolls. Upon very close examination of the game play responses of the computer opponent it can be clearly seen that there is no 'intelligence' as to where the pieces are moved to... nor can any be possible without an artificial intelligence much more highly advanced than we could ever afford. Thusly, the only way for the computer to seem like it is responding in a more experienced way is for it to get the perfect roll to take your player off the board, or to get doubles many more times than you do during the game.

Of course, the developer (And not just David Byrum) could never admit to this flaw in the application or else no one would ever buy it. And to those that defend it... well, all I can say is that, yes, some of us DO have a lot of extra time on our hands, so we play many games in a row, at which point we experience the inequities of gameplay inherent in this type of software. But for you to criticize us for complaining about something you like... it's a human trait, but rather small minded.

The real solution is to play another human. Or play the game using an 'online' mode to play... another human. You can defend this software type until the cows come home, but the computer will never play fair. It's not possible. No way. Uh uh. No. Not ever.

I will anxiously await the firestorm of negative rebuttal. But in the end... no way. Go play with your rubber duckie.  
(Version 5.6)

GAMMONSOFT  For those that might be tempted to try GNUbg, it requires special skills to install requiring additional software to be installed on your computer to use it.

It is not true mac software and does not use the mac interface. Since it was not written for the mac, it uses X11 software as its interface, not OS X.  
(Version 5.4.6)

ERRORR  For those who prefer a freeware backgammon game, there is GNUbg which can be installed by fink and run on X11. I have played David's BG but personally prefer GNUbg's gameplay. It has an invaluable analysis mode where it analyses all moves and dice throws. Last I checked, it ranks above 2000, way up there on FIBS (http://www.fibs.com/)  
(Version 5.4.6)

SONORENSIS  I have played the demo version way too much and finally signed up for the full version. The Author responded with a password within an hour and responded several times to my inept attempts to put it in the right place. Great support!  
(Version 5.4.2)

APGIULIANO  Who cares what anyone thinks especially NOTAFOOL whom obviously has either too much free time on his or her hands to play the program thousands of times JUST to glean some fodder of their own fabrication, or the game has been superior enough to anything else on the market that they indeed have enjoyed giving it the workout (thousands of times? Sheesh!) Keep on marketing and building your program as you see fit... 18 years cannot be wrong!  
(Version 5.4)

GAMMONSOFT  NOTAFOOL from the previous review is truely not a fool. That is why he has played the game thousands of time.

Even though he is not a fool he is mistaken about the game cheating. It doesn't. The computer opponent has been continually improved over the last 18 years. It plays a pretty good game so it might seem like it cheats.

Happy Holidays!  
(Version 5.3.7)

NOTAFOOL  Come on, Mr. Byrum. I challenge you. I have played your dopey "Absolute Backgammon" against the computer literally thousands of times now and it CHEATS, CHEATS, CHEATS, CHEATS AND CONSTANTLY CHEATS. Your absurd claims that the dice rolls are utterly random are the claims of a deceptive fool. My challenges to you are these:-

(1) Agree to have your ludicrous claims TESTED over a 12 month period by a person who is each of the following:-

1. Totally and 100% independent of yourself, your products, and any business or company in which you have an interest;

2. An expert statistician;

3. Thoroughly experienced in backgammon.

(2) Agree to PUBLISH on all relevant backgammon websites the FULL, UNEDITED RESULTS, whether they support your claims or not. Until you agree to the above, I will continue to utterly reject your childish and deceptive claims that the computer plays an honest game against a human opponent.  
(Version 5.3.7)

KONSTANTIN STASSINAKIS  David's Backgammon is the ultimate backgammon game for everyone!!! David's Backgammon is the blue pill! I tested many similar programs - even the online ones - but non of them can compete with David's.  
(Version 5.3.7)

RRYAN  I had been playing with another Backgammon game and the game was not a smart player and it was very frustrating - no challenge. When I did a search and came upon Davids and Absolute Backgammon I was hopeful. Even though with the download I couldn't finish a game I was hooked. I kept playing and playing. I wasn't even bothered that it was only part of a game. It was fun and challenging. There are no wasted motions and fancy graphics just good backgammon.I highly recommend Absolute Backgammon and David's Bckgammon.  
(Version 5.3.5)

THOMAS KRAUS  Used the unregistered version and then got addicted. Now with the registered version I can play tournaments that are almost like having a human sitting across from me at a very colorful board. I recommend this game for all. The best available! The graphics are excellent and I hope to find some more board options (colors and metal etc.) in the future.  
(Version 5.3.4)

VIVIEN  Good version of Backgammon with lots of interesting features and nice layout. Only one slight niggle. When doubling the computer's dice rolls do sometimes seem to be too fortuitous to be true.  
(Version 5.3.4)

GAMMONSOFT  Contrary, to what the previous reviewer said, the dice rolls are random in all circumstances.

Also, I do respond promptly to all emails and do give solutions to problems like crashed machines. In this case, once they had fixed their machine, I would give the person a new password/activation code for their game.

If they registered the game a long time ago and don't have a backup copy, they might have to pay an upgrade fee to use the current version of the game.

David's Backgammon has been available and improved for 10 years now.  
(Version 5.3.4)

VRAIREAL  May I offer another point of view.

Its quite obvious this game is programmed to be adictive and what better way than roll the dices in a manner to get the player in a mood where he wants to get even with its opponent, the computer. I would describe the ramdomness of the dice rolls as being convenient, to say the least, in favor of the computer.

But I must say that after a while, the pattern does change in favor of the player and all I can say is that its very addictive indeed. :-)

This said, I only wish the dice rolls where really random.

Unfortunatly, I have purchased this game a couple of years ago and my computer crahed. My password became obsolete. I have writen M. Byrum about that, but he has never offered me a solution to this problem. Will never purchase anything else from him.  
(Version 5.3.4)

PHOBOS54  This has proved to be all too addictive...no problems after months of use, very appealing gameboard and sufficient complexity that I am tied with the computer after about 1000 games.  
(Version 5.2.3)

MPONEMON  GREAT GAME!!!

Bought for my wife and she thoroughly enjoys it...

David you're the man... Thanks for all of your help  
(Version 5.2)

ALEX LJUBIMOV  I am playing this game for 2 years and I love it. It has a nice realistic interface, the learning curve is fast and it provides the needed level of complexity, koy and frustration associated with real-life chance games. Version 5.0.2 fixes a few glitches and it is very good now. Can recommend to anybody who likes real-life backgammon. Real fun to play.  
(Version 5.0.2)

RONUKE  This is a great game. The computer is a tough competitor, and forces intelligent play on my part. Grat way toi take a break in the middle of the day! Thanks. The graphics are very good, but the computer voice could be improved a little. I still love the game.  
(Version 5.0)

DONROB  donrob: Can't say enough how much we've enjoyed David's Backgammon. It works without a hitch and the few questions we had were promptly responded to by David. Excellent product and well worth the $. Thanks, David...nice job!!   
(Version 5.0)

PETER MELCHIOR  Best Backgammon game I have ever had! I thoroughly enjoy the whole presentation, and the only dark spot is that I play it too much every day.

Peter Melchior  
(Version 4.9.7)

REDDOG  Cool game. great graphics. Wish it could rate my play against the computer; telling me if I am getting better or worse. Also, would like to keep track of record.  
(Version 4.9.7)

ANONYMOUS  There's just no way that the rolls made by the 'computer' opponent are random, regardless of what the author claims ("all dice rolls are random, etc., etc.") Whenever it offers doubles it then lands on my piece, almost without fail. It gets off the bar most times on the first roll, even with 5 spaces blocked! When I try to get off the bar, with only the #2, #4, and #6 spaces blocked, I roll 4&6 three times in a row! Granted, I do roll many double 6's, but it's almost always when I'm trying to get off the bar and the #6 space is blocked. Count how many times the computer gets doubles on the 1st or 2nd roll of the game, compared to how many times the human player does. Count how many times the computer successfully gets off the bar by rolling doubles, compared to how many times the human player does. And, it's fairly obvious that the more games you play the more that end prematurely, way more than the "half the games" that the author claims. If you're going to program this little feature into your game then please at least let people know. Don't try to deceive them about it. And please, once and for all, just write it to give random rolls. Also, and I'm not saying this to be mean-spirited, but the graphics seem very amateur. On the plus side, it's only crashed a few times.  
(Version 4.9.6)

ANONYMOUS  This is ok. The menu organization is not very good, so it doesn't really feel like a Mac app. Plus I can consistently easily beat it on its best level so it isn't very challenging. Hopefully 5.0 will address those issues! ;-)  
(Version 4.9)

ANONYMOUS  This is a great game for the whole family. With the different levels of play and the learning mode we are all playing better!  
(Version 4.8.1)

DAVID BYRUM  The dice rolls are random in all circumstances and do not favor either player in any circumstance. Statistics are saved and can be displayed that prove this is not the case.

I suspect the previous player was beat more than he felt he should. Kind of a childish reaction to publicly accuse the game of cheating.

To me, it is a compliment of its playing ability!  
(Version 4.8.1)

ANONYMOUS  This sw bites, bigtime. Computer gets doubles at the most convenient times, while human player ends up with 1 & 3 or some other low roll over and over. Just trashed the game. Bye-bye.  
(Version 4.8.1)

BUD DOBLE  I have just received the disk you sent and I can't get it to start in my Mac g-3 powerbook!!!!!I know the machine is OK since it starts other disks.

What to do?????Please e-mail(buddoble@mindspring.com) or better stil--tel 508-257-9847

Thank You from

Bud Doble  
(Version 4.8.1)

MIKEWELSH  I have never had one iota of trouble with either David or his product, which is excellent.  
(Version 4.8.1)

NAYSAYERS, OR NITPICKERS?  Despite various complaints made here about this software and sometimes praise for other Backgammon software over this software, i've always found it to be mostly untrue.

It's a very reasonable package.  
(Version 4.8)

HAPPY PLAYER  Has every feature and option that I was looking for in a backgammon game. It plays a very good game of backgammon and is very enjoyable to play and was very easy to learn to use. Thanks David!  
(Version 4.7.9)

DAVID BYRUM  I am the author of David's Backagmmon. This is response to the tirade by George R. O'Connor. Since he is not telling the truth in any way shape or form, I feel that I must respond.

First, I was not late in getting him the activation code. It took 3 days because I was on vacation. It was posted on my website that I was gone until then.

Second, he says he never got the activation code needed after saying he had a problem after doing a clean install of OS X. He is correct, I emailed him 7 times requesting the ID from the game so that I could determine the activation code, each time explaining how to get it from the game. He kept insisting that I didn't need it, so he never gave it to me so I could never give him the activation code.

Third, his comment "I get an add from him soliciting my purchase of his new "glass board" version of the program." refers to me informing him of a new backgammon game - Absolute Backgammon - that I created that he might check out. I also recommended that he download the current version of David's Backgammon and that I would give him the activation code for it.   
(Version 4.7.9)

GEORGE R. O'CONNOR  11 months ago I bought David's Backgammon. He was THREE WEEKS late in sending the password.

Now I've updated my wife's iBook from 10.1.5 to 10.2.6 and David's Backgammon is broken.

I ask the guy for assistance and I get an add from him soliciting my purchase of his new "glass board" version of the program.

I write back. And I write back. Then he tells me that he hasn't time to read my prior emails and to tell him the code the program generates when it fails.

Mind you, EVERY email I've sent has the receipt for the purchase of this software in August '02.

No help from David -my wife is out-of-town and I don't have the error code so I don't get the assistance (or, even the code he sent last fall) untill I send him the code.

WHAT customer service?

I'd sooner sue him than buy another thing from him.

Pay real close attention to your game codes - David requires blood if you misplace one.

I'd buy ANY other product before I'd buy something from this guy again.  
(Version 4.7.9)

LORI VARECKA  I don't know whom to write, so I'll write here. David had sent me a code, but we have a new computer and I need it again (or another one) to play the Paid Version of David's Backgammmon.

Thanks.

Lori

LoriDV@comcast.net  
(Version 4.7.5)

ANONYMOUS  During an illness, I played about 10,000 games of this backgammon

application, using the computer as the opponent. Unfortunately, the

computer seems to get doubles so many more times than you, the

organic player, that it made me wonder about the randomness of

the roles. There are skill levels, but the rolls seem to dictate that, not

a particularly 'tricky' move by the computer. Don't play the computer

and it's great.  
(Version 4.7)

FARIBORZ AMIRSHAHI  Backgammon is a very antique game and people have been playing it in many countries for centuries on end. It's surely NOT one of those shiny shoot-em-up memory-gobble games kids are interested in. When it comes to casting dice, you need luck at its best and strategy as its most. You should either get hold of the situation fast or your opponent will get the upper hand after the first moves. This is what real backgammon players favor and not all those colors and superficial make-ups that have relatively little importance. Of course, in a GHz computer era we await a real animated backgammon expert to amuse us on the screen and expect even to sniff the perfume of his eccentric aftershave! No wonder why we despise a game just because it's old looking! However, unless such a dream comes true sometime in the future, David's Backgammon is surely the best way to play Backgammon on a computer. Fariborz Amirshahi - Verona (Italy)  
(Version 4.6.4)

MARTIN HöCKERT  It´s the best BG for mac. But it isn´t a real challange for a "pro"-skilled player. But it´s speed and smoothness is good. I think JellyFish is a harder BG but it´s only for pc... Maby a "fater" interface on the boards. Saw some nice one´s at FIBS (macfibs).

However it is a good, more competent backgammon then most BG-software around. And it´s cool that you put effort into getting new improved versions of the game out there.. Thanks, Martin H. Stockholm, Sweden.   
(Version 4.6.4)

ANONYMOUS  I have played a registered copy of the game for husands of games and draws the same conclusion that the other reviewers : the computer cheats. It also seems to be aware of the next roll when offering a double. I would like to see more effort put in programming the real skill level of this game.  
(Version 4.6)

ANONYMOUS  Oh, here we go again. This game works GREAT when you play against another real opponent, BUT...when you play the computer, it favors the computer by giving it doubles on the first roll many more times than it will give them to you. Also, when you get doubles, it seems to happen when you cannot take advantage of them. I played several thousand games over a couple of years before I finally decided...the computer cheats. The rolls are only truly random when you play another person. You can test this by changing the skill levels. At a low level, the computer doesn't do stupid things, it just gives itself less lucky rolls. Great game , David. If the game did not have the computer opponent option it would be perfect.  
(Version 4.3.5)

ANONYMOUS  Oh, here we go again. This game works GREAT when you play against another real opponent, BUT...when you play the computer, it favors the computer by giving it doubles on the first roll many more times than it will give them to you. Also, when you get doubles, it seems to happen when you cannot take advantage of them. I played several thousand games over a couple of years before I finally decided...the computer cheats. The rolls are only truly random when you play another person. You can test this by changing the skill levels. At a low level, the computer doesn't do stupid things, it just gives itself less lucky rolls. Great game , David. If the game did not have the computer opponent option it would be perfect.  
(Version 4.3.5)

ANONYMOUS  All bells and whistles, that's how I rate this game. David adds all sorts of things to this game which give it a glamorous surface appearance, but the bottom line is playability. If you play a human opponent the rolls seem somewhat 'skewed' at times; if you play the computer, they are even more questionable. A great programming effort, but a real board and real dice are the way to go!  
(Version )

ANONYMOUS  I agree with the other review. The computer opponent seems to win whenever it wants to, whatever the skill level. It doesn't matter how many features you add; fairness of play is most important when playing a game such as backgammon.  
(Version )

ANONYMOUS  I have played over 10,000 games and have noticed various discrepancies in the randomness of dice rolls, causing unfair situations to arise. Mr. Byrum insists that the rolls are completely random, but during all this game play, I have only gotten doubles on the first roll 9 or 10 times, among other things. It's really a great game with lots of features, but the skill levels clearly influence the rolls in the computers favor at times, even using the 'fair' setting. Suggestion: play a friend and not the computer.  
(Version )