Backgammon Online

28-Jul-2010
14:15 PDT

Just used my ignore list for the first time. Some joker has forced moves turned off. Why??? Anyone reading this post who has their forced moves turned off PLEASE!!!! put me o ignore list. As anyone who has ever challenged me knows, I accept all challenges, but if you do Not force please go away. THANKS!!!!

29-Jul-2010
08:12 PDT

no problem --you are ignored. I like to watch how my opponents play their moves so I will always keep it off --enjoy your games--no need for us to play.

30-Jul-2010
05:07 PDT

You can just click in the turns box roll by roll and see how your opponent moved while you ARE NOT ABLE TO MOVE. Allows you to watch your opponents moves while NOT WASTING your and your opponents time.

03-Aug-2010
08:50 PDT

At first, I also liked to play without using the forced moves, but after one partner explained to me that they do a game is a lot faster lately too happy to use them.
But surely it is a personal matter - the use of forced moves or not.

04-Aug-2010
04:06 PDT

i agree with skulls in these one. Just a waist of time. If you wanna see the plays just take back the turns box and watch and study and sleep over it. If not, try to play with those players who turn off forced plays also and take your time (both agreed). So: all his well when ends well.

04-Aug-2010
10:30 PDT

Why not make forced moves a game option when challenging? A check box like when offering a cube game. This way, both players can agree before the time whether or not to play forced moves in the game.

Personally, it makes no difference to me if the game takes a little longer, or if my opponent prefers forced moves or not, so the suggestion would probably not be high on my voting list, but who knows? Perhaps it might be a popular feature...

05-Aug-2010
01:18 PDT

The only reason I can think of to turn off forced moves might be a concern that the seeding for the supposed random dice throw generation might be affected, hence more repeats of the same throws? Just a thought, would be interested to see if anyone had compared the stats between games with forced moves on and off.

05-Aug-2010
03:29 PDT

I've started to resign games at points where I see no way of winning. I'd love to see others do the same.

Of course, I could be throwing some games too early, but I'm not going to leave a game hanging if it's in bear-off time and I'm down, say, 2-10.

I only play those out when I'm playing a computer (GNU Backgammon rocks, btw!)

05-Aug-2010
15:29 PDT

Surely it's foolish to resign until it's a mathematical certainty that you're going to lose? I've seen many, many games swing improbably in favour of the losing player at the bearing off stage. You could be 40 and and still win if you roll a couple of high doubles, depending on distribution. I wish I could say that I've seen many such games swing in my favour. Usually I'm at the sharp end of these swings.

05-Aug-2010
15:34 PDT

...to qualify. If I were playing chess and were at a significant material disadvantage (with no obvious signs of compensation) I would almost certainly resign, as you should show your opponent respect by assuming that he/she will play accurately enough to make it impossible for you to win or draw.
With backgammon though, pure luck can have such a significant influence on the outcome that by consistently resigning early, you will (almost certainly) throw away the odd win here and there.