One of my favorite board games has always been Backgammon.  I just love the combination of luck and skill involved in the game, and I have learned the intricacies and strategies much better than any other board game.   I still remember my first introduction to the game.  My Dad came home one day with a portable magnetic Backgammon set (back in those stone ages, that was pretty much all we meant when we talked about portability).  It was made from wood, covered in leather, and I have never owned a set as nice (in my mind) as that one.  To this day, I have no idea where that set came from or why he purchased it and brought it home for us.  All I know is that as soon as that hinged briefcase-like box opened to reveal the triangled playing surface, I was hooked. 

Since I became interested in Pocket PCs, I have searched through numerous different online stores and sites for a decent Backgammon game — regardless of whether it was freeware or commercial.  What I found, however, was The Three Bears of Backgammon games.  This one as too easy.  This one was too hard.  This one has a messed up artificial intelligence.  The problem was, I never found the one that was Just Right.  Which is why I was so excited to check out Real Dice’s Multiplayer Championship Backgammon.

[Note: Before reading on, you should read my review of Real Dice World Launcher, which will give you an overview of the environment in which this game exists.]

Installation and Registration: There are two ways to download the game. First, if you have subscribed to the full Real Dice Service, then you can download it over the air using the Real Dice Launcher. Additionally, you can download the desktop installer and install it via ActiveSync. If you are not a Real Dice member yet, there is a limited trial which you can use to test out the game.

Backgammon Overview: This is probably the most overused phrase in all of gaming, but Backgammon is an incredibly easy game to learn, but difficult to master.  There are numerous intricacies and subtleties which can complicate gameplay considerably.  And, of course, there is the strategy.  Devising a successful Backgammon strategy is critical.  Do you go on the offensive and try to capture your opponent’s pieces while whipping around the board with reckless abandon?  Do you take a defensive approach by protecting your pieces as much as possible while crawling toward the finish line.  Both strategies have their merits…as well as their problems.  My personal strategy is somewhere in the middle, balancing offensive and defensive tactics.

OK.  So, let’s get into the basic overview.  The board consist of 24 points (those triangle thingies).  These points are divided into four sections, or quadrants, each consisting of six points. 

Fifteen pieces (checkers or stones) are assigned to each player, and arranged in predetermined positions on the board.  The object of the game is to move all fifteen of your pieces into your home quadrant and remove them from the board before your opponent.

Movement is determined by rolling two six-sided dice.  Your stones may land on any open point, or any point controlled by your stones.  You control a point when you have two or more stones on it at a time.  By controlling multiple adjoining points, you can effectively block your opponent from moving his pieces.

If you land on a spot on which your opponent has only one stone, then you will capture that stone.  A captured stone is placed in the "prison" in the middle of the board.  In order to re-enter the game, you must enter in your opponent’s home quadrant (which is the furthest from your own home quadrant) by rolling a value on one of the two dice which will allow you to land on an open point.  In the example above, therefore, the captured piece must roll a 1 (which he controls), 2, 3, or 5.  in order to re-enter the game.  Since I control the 4 and 6, he cannot enter on those points.  A player with a captured stone is blocked from moving any stones until the captured stone is able to re-enter the game.

Once all of your stones have reached your home quadrant, you may begin bearing them off or removing them from the board.  In order to remove a stone from the board, you must roll a value which is equal to or higher then the number of spaces remaining.  Thus, a stone on the sixth point can only be removed from the board by rolling a six.  A stone on the third point, however, could bear off with a roll of three or higher. 

If you are able to clear all of your pieces before your opponent has borne off any pieces from the gameboard, you will earn double your winnings.  If your opponent has a piece which is captured, or which is still in your home quadrant, then you will triple your winnings.

A Note On Artificial Intelligence: One of the most important aspects to any computerized Backgammon game is the artificial intelligence.  It is critical to gameplay that the dice rolls FEEL random.  If the computer opponent consistently rolls exactly what he needs and you never get that lucky break, then a significant element is removed from the game. This randomness is what keeps the game honest and the playing field level.  Most of the time, if I have a problem with a Backgammon game, it will originate here.  I felt that Real Dice did an excellent job in the single player game of maintaining this randomness element.  I never felt that the computer opponent had an unfair advantage or was, "getting all the breaks" with his dice rolls. 

Single Player Quick Game: The quick game is just what you would expect.  It allows you to quickly create a game against a random computer opponent.  The results of this game will not affect your profile, rank, or earnings in the money game.  I liked the quick game because it allows you to enable match play which is my preferred method of playing Backgammon.  This means that you do not play a single game against an opponent, but a series of games to form a match.  Although the game allows you to determine the length of a match, Backgammon matches are typically a best of five games series (first player to win three games wins the match).

The quick game also allows you to enable the doubling cube.  The doubling cube is an integral part of the strategy of Backgammon.  By doubling, you significantly increase the value of the game.  Whether and when you double can make a real difference in how the game is played.  When you play the doubling cube, your opponent has the option of declining, thus forfeiting the game at the current value; or accepting, and doubling the value of the game.

Single Player Money Game: In the money game, you must bet on the outcome of the game.  Increase you bankroll by defeating opponents.  As the skill level of your opponents increases, so to will the required bets (which range from $1 to $50,000).

I spent most of my time with this game in the single player money game.  I was a little frustrated that, unlike the quick game, there is no option to utilize the doubling cube or compete in match play.  All are individual games.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the challenge of progressing through the various levels of betting.  I did not find that the difficulty of the matches significantly increased, although the player’s rankings did increase from around 1400 to 2500.  I would have liked to have seen a greater disparity between the skill levels of the opponents in the higher levels.

There is also an option here to practice.  This somewhat confounded me, however, as the practice and the quick game are identical.  I really did not see the need for both.

MultiPlayer Internet Game: The real draw of Real Dice is the ability to compete against the entire online community.  I love this aspect and have enjoyed it immensely with many of the Real Dice games I have reviewed thus far.  Never has it felt more appropriate, however, than with Backgammon.  As I have said, Backgammon is uniquely ill-suited for competition against a computer opponent.  For reasons which I cannot explain, this becomes a considerably more complex game for me when played against a live person rather than a computer opponent.

To play against another person, simply log into the online game lobby.  All of the available games will be displayed, and you can simply select the one that looks the most interesting to you.  If none appeal to you, then create your own.  Here, you can determine whether doubling will be used, how much the game is worth, and more.

I would, however, like to see the addition of a Forfeit button.  Toward the end of a Backgammon game, it can often become a footrace to see who gets their pieces to the finish line the fastest.  Often, the outcome of this footrace is obvious.  In such a circumstance, it is somewhat pointless to play out the rest of the game.  Instead, it would be nice for the player on the losing end to simply forfeit and walk away.  Obviously, a forfeit would have the same effect (in terms of points and winnings) as if the game had been played to its conclusion.

MultiPlayer Hotseat Game: If you do not have an Internet connection available, or if the person you want to play against is sitting right there next to you, then you can enjoy the hotseat game.  In this game, both players compete against each other utilizing the same device.  Although I am not typically a fan of the hotseat game, this type of mano-a-mano competition most closely approximates the real cardboard and plastic (or wood and leather) game.

Graphics and Menus: Backgammon was one of the earlier games Real Dice developed, and I do think it is starting to show its age.  Of all of the games I have reviewed from Real Dice, I think Backgammon is the one most in need of an update.  While the graphics are not poorly drawn, they simply do not have the same crispness that some of the more recent games, such as Dominoes, displays.  The animation, for example, is considerably less smooth.  When a piece is moved, rather than sliding from one point to another, the pieces flash, disappear and reappear on the receiving point.  Sort of like teleportation.  I found this to be a bit disconcerting.  If I was not paying close attention then I quickly lost track of which pieces were moving were on the board. 

Likewise, the menus are not nearly as functional as in other Real Dice games.  Actually, my main complaint here is that they are hidden under the avatars.  This means that you must tap your avatar and then tap OK in order to end each turn.  Looking at the screen, I felt there was plenty of room to display the menu at all times, without hiding it under the avatars, much as Real Dice has done with other games.

Save: Saving in the single player game is simple.  All you have to do is exit the game.  If you were playing Quick Game Mode, then the next time you start, you will be automatically returned to the game in progress.  If you are playing a Money Game, then you will have the option of picking up your saved game (which will be the first game listed) or deleting the saved game and starting fresh with a new opponent.

Conclusion: Backgammon is one of my favorite games.  Finding it on the Pocket PC, however, has posed quite a challenge.  Therefore, I was thrilled to find Real Dice Backgammon.  In fact, it was Backgammon (along with Poker) which initially drew me to Real Dice in the first place.  I would love to see this game updated with better graphics and animation, as well as a new menu interface.  These are all superficial issues, though.  This game really has it where it counts.  The artificial intelligence is second to none, and considerably outweighs any Backgammon games I have played.  The real crown jewel, however, is the online game, which allows you to pit your skills against real players from across the world.  It still doesn’t compare to the wood and leather set I had as a child, but I suspect nothing ever will.

Vital Statistics:

Name: Real Dice Backgammon

Platform: WM 2003 SE, WM6

Also Available: WM5, Palm OS, Blackberry, Symbian, PC, Windows Mobile Smartphone,and more… 

Developer: Real Dice

Price: $14.95 or free with a subscription to the Real Dice network.

Available From: Real Dice

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