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The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

bgammon.org

61–70 of 71 posts

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#61
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks. Yes, that makes sense. The web version of the game is powered by WebAssembly and renders to a canvas. The game is only able to utilize one CPU core when running in the browser, maxing that core out probably set off your fans.

...isn't webassembly supposed to be more efficient?

The reduced performance is a Go problem rather than a WebAssembly problem. See this issue for more info:

https://github.com/golang/go/issues/28631

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#62
My GF plays a ton of backgammon online. This isn't related to the post. Just sharing a project / software that is related in concept.

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.

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#63
Great game! Some feedback from a first time ever backgammon player:

- 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

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#65
post #37
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got a feeling that this may be a cultural aspect there too: Backgammon is not considered "sophisticated," I think. I'm from Greece (I don't play backgammon myself, though), and backgammon (tavli) is extremely popular but widely considered "a game for the masses." It is played mostly in tavernas and old-style coffee shops, and each game has a social aspect, too. People discussing (sometimes shouting and finger-point…

chess should be a game for the masses too, and I think it is. People play that in cafes too

Backgammon is arguably a much better game for casual play. In Chess, unless the skill levels are pretty close, one player (the stronger one) is going to win almost every game, and many of the non-wins will be draws.

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.

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#66
The opening position of backgammon always worries me, not because it is bad, but because I don't understand it. And backgammon is old enough that getting to the origin and meaning behind the position is not trivial.

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???

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#67
post #66

The opening position of backgammon always worries me, not because it is bad, but because I don't understand it. And backgammon is old enough that getting to the origin and meaning behind the position is not trivial. 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 unders…

I think the opening position evolved out of a desire for more interesting openings and resulting middle and end games. The position does seem strange at first, but it is sort of the foundation for more sensible positions, like turning 6-1 into a fortification of two pieces on the same space. Without the opening position, you would only have at most one checker on a space with this roll. I have absolutely nothing to prove any of this, it's purely speculation, as this is something I've wondered about as well.

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#68
post #3

Hey there, author here. Glad to answer any questions. 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/…

[dead]

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#69
post #30
post #27

Something I've thought a lot while playing backgammon locally is "I wish there was a site like lichess, but for backgammon"... so kudos for going out and starting your own! Are there any plans for post-game analysis? 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 got a feeling that this may be a cultural aspect there too: Backgammon is not considered "sophisticated," I think. I'm from Greece (I don't play backgammon myself, though), and backgammon (tavli) is extremely popular but widely considered "a game for the masses." It is played mostly in tavernas and old-style coffee shops, and each game has a social aspect, too. People discussing (sometimes shouting and finger-point…

After I learned backgammon from my parents, I also wonder why almost no one plays it in the US compared to chess. Seems mostly European and Middle Eastern folks play it (my parents are from Romania).

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.

Re: The first 10k games at bgammon.org, an open source online backgammon service

#70
post #37
post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got a feeling that this may be a cultural aspect there too: Backgammon is not considered "sophisticated," I think. I'm from Greece (I don't play backgammon myself, though), and backgammon (tavli) is extremely popular but widely considered "a game for the masses." It is played mostly in tavernas and old-style coffee shops, and each game has a social aspect, too. People discussing (sometimes shouting and finger-point…

chess should be a game for the masses too, and I think it is. People play that in cafes too

It's not that you can't play chess in cafes (I've also done that), but chess is more complex and is -perceived- to be much more complex and serious.

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.

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