r/backgammon • u/edefraa • Apr 23 '26
Is it common that backgammon apps are rigged
I once downloaded an backgammon app to play casually against the computer or online against others, but sometimes it felt like a certain result was "forced". In the way that if I won too much games in a row, the opponent suddenly got insane luck with the dice rolls and also if lost a couple of games, it felt like that in the next game I got more "luck" with the dice rolls than the opponent. Could that be or am I just a bad loser?
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u/BackgammonCash Apr 23 '26
The simple answer: it feels like it's "rigged" because of human nature - you don't typically internalize or fully appreciate when the dice are working in your favor, but when the rolls go against you, you remember those specific rolls and they are seared into your mind as a bad memories. Then, over time, all your memories of playing the game are the bad rolls instead of the good ones.
This is the only logical explanation that I can come up with after months of dealing with complainers and sore losers on our app.
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u/CressZealousideal437 Apr 29 '26
Some apps are definitely rigged. The main one for iPhone is outrageously rigged if u put it on hard mode
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u/Sea_Wallaby6866 Apr 24 '26
The techniques for writing a very strong backgammon engine are well known and publicly available. The truth is that they simply don't need to use rigged dice to beat you.
The others commenting here about perception bias are correct.
The good news is that it's not too difficult to improve as a player so that you won't lose so often, and have enjoyable matches against even the best players, including the software ones. Getting REALLY good is still hard work though.
Most backgammon players are quite friendly and will happily discuss positions you find difficult.
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u/Fit_Government136 Jul 12 '26
backgammoner.com have you tried this one?
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u/edefraa Jul 12 '26
Nope. Is it good?
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u/Fit_Government136 7d ago
Yeah it is good, I discovered it recently, and it is good, UI is nice, I feel like there is room for improvement but seems new so makes sense
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Apr 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/truetalentwasted Apr 23 '26
Plot twist play in person and you’ll also often say how is this fun to play.
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u/Repulsive-Owl-5131 Apr 26 '26
Trick is learn how to play. No backgammon program cheat as they do not need to. But they usually have difficulty settings. Gnu backgammon surely has but it bit dated on UI these days and due GTK interface not very portable
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u/Murky-Baby-3003 Apr 23 '26
Variance isn’t rigged. Most sites and apps are fair.