High hopes dashed – Backgammon with 16 Games Review

I had high hopes for this game. I learned a backgammon variant from some Jordanian friends and this game is the only one I found that includes this variation, under the name of Plakoto/Tapa. I have not played standard backgammon so this review applies only to that variation, but I suspect I would find the same issues in all games First of all, I strongly suspect the game uses loaded dice. This game begins with two checkers on the 24 point and all the other checkers in hand but presumed to be also on the 24 point. Therefore you almost always start with a number of blots on the 18 through 23 points. I have played hundreds of games and quite often find my virtual opponent rolling big doubles, allowing him to hit my checkers early. In this variation, getting hit deep in your starting territory is a huge disadvantage and almost certainly results in a loss unless you can do the same to your opponent. The thing is, in these hundreds of games, I have NEVER ROLLED LARGE DOUBLES early in the game. Not once. In addition, I have found that if I leave a blot, my opponent is almost guaranteed to hit it’s even if it requires rolling eleven or doubles. This is all highly suspect. Second, I think it has the scoring wrong. On your turn, you have the option of doubling, rolling the dice, or surrendering. The way I learned backgammon, if a player offers to surrender, the other player can either accept and win at the current value of the doubling cube, or decline and play on in hopes of making a gammon or backgammon. I believe the scoring for a surrender should be the same as if you had declined a double; however, if I surrender before I start bearing off, the game counts it as a loss at twice the current value, as if I had lost with a gammon. A third issue: I usually win matches anyway, despite having no background or expertise. I think that’s a good sign that the AI, as they ostentatiously call it, is a pretty lousy player.
Review by rickmbari on Backgammon with 16 Games.