If you don't know how to play backgammon, check out this guide[0] and/or this video[1]. There is a lot of history[2] behind backgammon. bgammon.org is AGPL-licensed, the client[3] and server[4] source code is publicly available. The graphical client is powered by the excellent Ebitengine[5] game engine.
0. https://bgammon.org/blog/20240201-how-to-play-backgammon/
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDvvKWi0ijs
2. https://bgammon.org/blog/20240115-history-of-backgammon/
3. https://code.rocket9labs.com/tslocum/boxcars
4. https://code.rocket9labs.com/tslocum/bgammon
5. https://ebitengine.org
Also, if I click in the text input, a huge keyboard shows up even on desktop, obscuring much of the game. Why?
Thanks. The keyboard input should only show up if your browser is indicating there is a soft keyboard available for the device. On Android, the device keyboard doesn't work for some reason. It definitely shouldn't show up on desktop, though. I will look into this.
The desktop version[0] shouldn't have this issue, if you want to give that a try.
I'll plug your site on our Discord, it's neat.
Out of curiosity, what do you think I should do? Keep in mind, not everyone feels the same about being "cajoled" into installing an open source application. But virtually everyone won't appreciate the UI hangs.
(I don't think you're forcing free open backgammon down people's throats, but there's an existing fatigue due to less scrupulous publishers detecting mobile browsers and pushing people away from otherwise functional websites.)
Moving those features a webworker so the UI stays responsive should be easy, however I'm not sure how synchronizing multiple webworkers to take advantage of multiple cores compares to synchronizing multiple threads in a native app.
In two games against the bot I _think_ I had the luck to run into a corner case bug with the rules engine: in the position shown in this screenshot https://ibb.co/dQ3HsM4 I'd rolled a 4-6, but the UI would not let me move my piece on 9 four spaces to hit the opponent on 5 -- the UI only wanted to let me move that piece six spaces.
I can imagine how this bug could happen-- all my pieces except this one are in my inner table, so it looks like my piece on 9 is the only piece that can legally use the rolled six, and you're required to fully use your roll if possible... except in this particular case, once I move that piece four spots, I'd be fully in my inner table and could use the six to bear off a piece.
[sidenote: I realize I don't know the best 2024 way to host a temporary image for posting on a text-only forum like HN... but imgbb looked reasonable...]
I've just resolved this on the server and in the web client (now v1.3.5p1, displayed at the lower right when the game loads).
And the test cases I have for it: https://pastebin.com/vmMEjSMz
https://www.backgammongalaxy.com/
Edit: Hey tslocum, rather than downvoting anyone who mentions other sites where people can play backgammon, I’d love for you to tell us more about why you believe your site is or will become superior to the existing options. There’s room for improvement in this space, but you’re definitely not there yet.
How do you cover the server costs, without ads?
As it grows, I intend to follow in Lichess' footsteps by offering a paid supporter badge without locking any functionality behind a paywall. Because the server is lightweight, just a few paid supporters should be able to offset the costs for many free users.
https://www.bkgm.com/variants/Tavli.html
The first game of tavli is portes which is the most common variant of backgammon played. Tavli is played by Greeks at least (and I'm sure many more)
Excited to read more about the Universal Backgammon Engine Interface mentioned in the post.
I've opened an issue for tracking this:
There seems to be an issue with the login/signup form, as it doesn't pull up the native keyboard for my phone, but some random keyboard.
I can't but laugh thinking who would be the GMHikaru or GothamChess of tavli :D :D
Edit: This can be misinterpreted. I don't play tavli not because is not considered sophisticated, I just find the rules confusing for certain setups.
I never learned backgammon though.
Backgammon has just about the perfect amount of RNG injected into it... weaker players can win, especially a single point (backgammon is typically played to a point target.. a game is normally worth 1 point (except for a few edge cases where one player loses very badly), but there is a doubling cube that starts in the middle. At their turn either played can pick up the cube and double, at which point their opponent can either accept, and play for double points, or resign for the _original_ stake. The cube is then handed to the acceptor, and then he can redouble later, etc, etc.
Backgammon has dice rolls and less complex strategy, so it's nicer to play over coffee and chatting. Rolling doubles also gives potential for comeback swings so it can be fun for spectators too.
I like it because it's not as serious as chess, at least when it's not played for money. Just roll and go. I always carry a portable set with me, made by sondergut.
its english version of polish kurnik.pl (henhouse)
Its as old as polish internet, very rudimentary but always active for all kind of games
The internal keyboard is shown rather than the device keyboard because on many devices, using the device keyboard does not work. It either doesn't show at all, or it is shown but key input is not registered. I hope that the game engine powering bgammon.org adds support for using device keyboards soon, and will be glad to revert to using device keyboard as soon as possible.
I was casting my pieces off, guaranteed a win, but my opponent left, so it didn't count as a win for me to my disappointment.
Perhaps if someone leaves and doesn't return within 60 seconds, the game should be a win for the person remaining if the remaining person's pip count is lower.
Both games where my opponent left, now show as wins in my history.
Also, I like the dice addition, but on desktop, the dice images are not matching up with what is rolled and displayed in the log.
How long does an opponent have until they auto forfeit if they don't move?
You shouldn't need to wait more than 30 seconds to see a win in your history after you also leave the game.
Will you please share a screenshot of the dice issue?
Maybe it was the Firefox addon Canvas Blocker? That addon was crashing the game, so I disabled it and appears to work now. The game still makes my laptop fans kick on though.
The game is only able to utilize one CPU core when running in the browser, maxing that core out probably set off your fans.
Downloaded the app, and tried to sign up, but everything was flashing -- I think it keeps flipping between screen sizes
Is this website even worth it, if I don't like short backgammon and prefer long nardi?
Acey-deucey and tabula games are supported in addition to backgammon.
heroes.backgammonstudio.com
Whoever runs this project does a fantastic job. It feels like they really care about the game. There's some friction to signing up and rules that force you to finish games that results in a stable player base.
- Thank you for getting me to play for my first time!
- Once a move has been utilized, then grey out that dice
- Rename the button "OK" to "Skip turn", I was wasting many turns until I figured out it skips your turn
- Make the color of your player more visible, I didn't know if I was black or white, thought I was white for the longest time
- For desktop users, do not show the popup keyboard, super difficult to chat with other players since it hides the text I'm writing
- Once I've done my two/four moves, autoclick the "ok button" so it speeds up the gameplay
My best guess is that the game started out with all the pieces off the board and you had to get them all on and around and off the far side. However this takes too long and some bright Persians who understood the game far more than me who only plays an occasional game with my father started creating and playing strategic openings. Positions with interesting interactions with the dice but now the game was much shorter and exciting. And the game we all play and enjoy today was one of the more popular openings.
A good theory, hard to prove. But why on earth do you start with five tokens already in your home???