Best Free Backgammon Software

Backgammon is a game of skill with a dash of luck... in the long run the better player will win. Using artificial neural networks, computers and their programmers have found ways of winning regularly even against the strongest of players. But the technology doesn't take the enjoyment out of computer play.

One of the most ancient surviving board games, backgammon has a refreshingly simple set of rules. And it is also one of those games whose pleasures tend to stick with you over time. This review will rate top backgammon freeware by sheer entertainment value and their potential for learning. Money play is outside the scope of Gizmo's Freeware, but if you're looking for a concise, independent comparative review of the best free backgammon software that's currently available you're in the right place. 

 GNU Backgammon houses the all powerful GnuBG neural network engine in an ambitious freeware project which should delight all backgammon enthusiasts. Getting used to the slightly quaint ways* of this open-source program takes a while. However, the documentation is extensive and there's an excellent tutorial. On my system, the current build works fine in 2D but not in 3D.

There's a wealth of advanced options and capabilities. The "Analyse" features give you fascinating insights into the game and how the GnuBG engine is thinking (by getting a feel of the Temperature Map, for instance). The program logs moves to the right of the screen, so you can click back and forth to review the game. There's a "Hint" button" and a "Tutor" option that will give you GnuBG's expert feedback on your moves and mistakes.

If you find GnuBG's unfailing expertise as an opponent a bit too much of a good thing, you can adjust its playing level in various standard or user-defined ways. You can set the program to use the Crawford and Jackoby rules, and GNU Backgammon also supports Nack Ballard's challenging Nackgammon starting position, as well as the simplified hypergammon variation. GNU Backgammon will open and analyze game files saved in a wide variety of formats.

In short, GNU Backgammon is a highly enjoyable powerplay program that repays in-depth exploration - a must have for anyone with more than a passing interest in the game. 

A portable version of GNU Backgammon has reached prerelease testing phase: the main game features seemed to work just fine on my system. The 2D interface benefits from a quick tweak (I switched the appearance to "Wood 1"). Highly recommended

Jellyfish is named after its renowned engine which the developers reckon is about the neural network of a jellyfish. However, the program no longer seems to be evolving. The cut-down freeware versions of the commercial Jellyfish are designed to run on Windows 95/NT and could be a useful choice for older computers. Moreover, v. 3.0 is portable and works just fine for me on Vista (whereas v. 3.5 refused to install). 

Once afloat, Jellyfish will give you a good game and you can adjust the level of play from 1 to 7. The interface is mostly intuitive* despite rather basic graphics (some advanced features are also disabled in this freeware edition, but the 30-second start-up wait ceases after entering a free registration code). You can save games as .pos files and print .gam log files. Forced moves and bear-offs can be automated.

Complete lack of sound gives Jellyfish an underwater sort of feel, which personally I find a bit eerie. It's a strong portable though - and it certainly packs a mean sting!

*Hint: If you need to move the smaller number first, you'll have to select "Swap Dice" in the Action menu (or Ctrl+W).

Quick Backgammon is a tiny portable (this time for Windows XP/Vista/7). It allows you to enjoy quick games against a decent engine, though not a neural net; playing levels can be set to "good", "average" or "poor".

Despite the relatively unsophisticated interface, Quick Backgammon has a few advanced features and provides handy assessments and statistics. Suggestions are possible. Forced moves are automated and sound effects are good. Games can be saved as .pos files.

With all these functional features efficiently woven into a miniscule 256 Kb download, QuickBackgammon is a good addition to any backgammon freeware collection and a clear choice if you just fancy a lightweight portable to have a whole load of fun on. 

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