Expert Backgammon is the world's best commercially available backgammon program, or so claims Bill Robertie, the world-champion backgammon player and writer. (Then again, Robertie sells Expert Backgammon through his backgammon specialty business, so he probably isn't going to dis the program.) Modern backgammon was designed for gambling: it's primarily a game of skill, but one in which luck occasionally lets the novice trounce the most seasoned expert. While the element of chance prevents Expert Backgammon from winning every time, it knows lots of tricks to make you lose your shirt, including when to double and when to decline your double.
Although I won one seven-point match against the Expert, I had to think long and hard about every move. On a dozen other games, I let my attention wander, and each time I found myself blown away. Expert Backgammon is good, nasty, and ready to jump on your every mistake.
Expert Backgammon for PC: Pro Version 2.1 US$300, Expert Version 2.1 $150. Expert Backgammon for Mac $75. The Gammon Press: +1 (617) 641 2091, fax +1 (617) 641 2660, e-mail robertie@world.std.com.
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Expert Backgammon
