Backgammon software review

Modern online backgammon sites offer similar features, but the overall game experience can vary greatly and often comes down to subtle details in the backgammon software. Let’s have a look at the backgammon software used by our recommended online backgammon sites to see how they compare to each other.

Gammon Empire and Play65

Although they are two independent sites and (arch) rivals, both Gammon Empire (GE) and Play65 use the same backgammon software developed by LogicEmpire. They also share the same player database. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, in this article we’ll call the GE & Play65 software the LogicEmpire software.

Overall impression

The LogicEmpire software offers both an instant online Java version of the software and a downloadable version for optimum gaming experience. Our review was based on the downloadable version.

From the moment you log on to Gammon Empire or Play65 it is clear that their backgammon software has played a crucial part in them becoming the two largest online backgammon sites on the internet. The layout, colors, user interface are clear and pleasing to the eye. The overall feeling is very nice.

The game lobby (screenshot below) gives easy access to all game types from live single game regular tables all the way to special tournaments up to $50,000. The game types are categorized under main tabs on the top of the game lobby and then further subcategorized into lower level tabs. It’s easy to find your way around.

Depositing and withdrawing money goes smoothly and the most common money transfer options are available, including PayPal and bank transfer. Withdrawing your winnings is just as easy and is a matter of a few clicks. Money transfers are top-notch industry standard and secure - it all works like a breeze.

Gameplay

The actual gameplay offers a very enjoyable experience. The board is clear with classy colours and all options are easily accessible. You’ll be always playing with your home board in the right lower corner although the color of your checkers can vary. After extensive testing we didn’t encounter any problems, although there were a couple of instances where the opponent had dropped out of the game due to internet connection problems at his end. This, however, is related to slow/bad local connection and therefore as a general advice it is always recommended prior to playing to check with your ISP for any scheduled maintenance that could disturb your game.

Backgammon Masters

A relatively new and small backgammon site in comparison to Gammon Empire and Play65, Backgammon Masters (BGM) offers a refreshing alternative. All the usual features are there, but with a hint of new.

Overall impression

The lobby is pretty usual, with the available game types categorized in a PartyGammon or PartyPoker like tree structure. Games are easy to find, although the selection feels a little limited after the LogicEmpire software. But what’s available works just fine.

One distinctive difference between the BGM backgammon software and the LogicEmpire software is the way players are get together for a game. In Gammon Empire for example a player initiates a game, i.e. offers others to join the game he created. In BGM, however, all online players in the same game lobby are listed and those not yet playing against somebody get a status “Waiting”. Those waiting are available for anyone to invite them for a game. In other words if you join a lobby you can invite any waiting players for a game but be also prepared for incoming invitations. In addition, you can enable the “Auto select player” function, which will automatically invite an available player after your previous game ended.

Gameplay

BGM has tried to bring in a personal touch to online backgammon by offering the possibility to see your opponent. Each player can choose from a number avatars that will be presented to your opponent if he/she wishes to see it. The picture below shows the game in the avatar view.

While the avatar is a nice feature you’ll soon be changing back to the traditional board view - the gameplay just feels better that way. The actual gameplay is smooth and it works very well - not much to add there.

The Backgammon Masters software offers a couple game options you normally don’t see elsewhere. One of my favourite is the ability to switch the colours of your checkers, so if you are for example used to playing with the white checkers you can always play with whites. The “auto pointer” option is also neat. If you have it turned on, after you roll the dice, you can use your mouse to hover on any one of your checkers. The software will show you all of the possible moves for that checker. You will see a small gold-colored diamond at the base of each point that is a possible landing point for that checker.

The Backgammon Masters software is one of the best on the market. With a few additional features most play sites don’t offer, it offers an almost unique online backgammon experience.

PartyGammon

It has been more than six months that PartyGammon entered the online backgammon market. The PartyGammon software was very mature and capable from the moment it was launched and apart from minor updates it hasn’t changed much since day 1.

The overall feeling of PartyGammon is that it has been made by professional business people. Everything is neat and clean, there are no visible loose ends. I guess nothing else can be expected from a PartyGaming product.

The lobby allows you to find all you need very easily, just like on other Party sites. The gameplay follows the same clean and smooth trend and there is nothing bad to comment about in terms of something not working well. The software itself is great. But still, there is something that just doesn’t leave me be, something that keeps on disturbing.The more time I spend with PartyGammon the more I am convinced that the software design & layout should’ve been left to artist and not to business people. The overall feeling is - cold. Everything from the colors, the board layout, the way the graphics is sharp and clean.. it just leaves a very generic and clinic feeling. Like it’s all about business. Sorry, but there is no fun in backgammon with PartyGammon. If you ask me, I’ll stick to BGM or GE for now.

This is not to say that PartyGammon would be bad. On the contrary, it is very good as a backgammon play site. And because of the level of quality, options and the number of players it offers at any given moment PartyGammon will stay as one of our recommended online backgammon sites.

Conclusion

The three online backgammon software reviewed above are all similar to each other but still offer enough different features to make the gaming experiences on each site very personal. It’s hard to argue against personal preferences but to me it’s the software used at Gammon Empire and Play65 that offer the nicest overall online backgammon experience of the three. But if you haven’t tried Backgammon Masters or PartyGammon yet, do so. Perhaps one of them will be your new favorite online backgammon site. You never know.