LPSCI.COM Software - Expert Backgammon

Expert Backgammon is a backgammon game with a great deal of flexibility. Among the features of Expert Backgammon are:

• set who plays first or if to use the customary dice roll
• set who provides the dice rolls (in case you don't trust Expert Backgammon to provide fair rolls) before and during the game
• set the level of expertise for each player before and during the game
• set who plays each pieces (you or the computer) before and during the game
• undo a turn any time before the last move has been taken
• undo each move of a turn before the last move has been taken
• change the board at any time between turns
• get an explanation of all of the computer's moves
• get advice for all of your moves
• play acey deucy with the Windows versions
• play opponents across the Internet with the Java 1.1 version

There are Windows versions for Windows 3.1 and up and for Windows 95/98/NT. There are Java applet and application versions for the initial version of Java, version 1.0.2, and for Java 1.1. The Windows versions and the Java class and jar files for the applet and applications can be downloaded from the client download page.

The difference between the Java and Windows application versions of this program is that the Windows programs run faster and can play acey-deucy. All application versions, Windows and Java support saving and opening schedules, while of course, the applet versions do not.

The Windows 3.1 version was compiled with Microsoft Visual C++ 1.0. The Windows 95/98/NT version was compiled with Microsoft Visual C++ 5.0. The Java 1.0.2 class files were compiled with Microsoft Visual J++ 1.0. The Java 1.1 files were compiled with Sun JDK 1.1.8.

The Java 1.0.2 applet version of Expert Backgammon has been tested thoroughly with both Netscape Navigator 3.0 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0, and it performs adequately with Netscape Communicator 4.0x and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. The Java 1.1 applet version has been tested with Netscape Navigator 4.7 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0; surprisingly, it runs much better with IE50. It is supported by Netscape Navigator 4.5 and up and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 and up. The Java 1.1 applet loads much faster with a modem connection than the Java 1.0.2 version.

The Java 1.1 applet and application now supports playing opponents across the Internet via the Java Backgammon Server, which can be downloaded from the server download page. Checking the Network checkbox on the Options dialog for a new game allows you to connect to the Java Backgammon Server and either initiate a game or go on the waiting list to wait to be invited into a game. Of course, while waiting for an opponent, you can play against the computer.

To support networking, the Java 1.1 version extends the Java Chat Client to communicate with the Java Backgammon Server. Extended functionality includes handling game information such as dice rolls and moves. The backgammon client is not allowed to go on the waiting list if already in a game, and people on the waiting list cannot be invited into games. There is also a Backgammon Admin Client that is comparable in functionality to the Chat Admin Client.

Expert Backgammon For Java (1.0.2). Run applet version for 3.0 and 4.0 browsers (last updated Nov. 22, 1999).

Expert Backgammon For Java (1.1). Run applet version for later browsers (last updated Feb. 17, 2001). Networking is only currently possible at night if the Java Backgammon Server is up.

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This page was last updated Mar. 14, 2010.