A Backgammon

Downloading and running backgammon

• Can the backgammon software run on a Mac or Linux?
• Username or password incorrect
• Encountering technical difficulties while playing the game

Gaming queries

• Dice reliability
• Real people – genuine players
• Moving checkers
• Changing game terms
• Player’s rating
• Resign automatically
• Doubling cube
• Crawford rule
• Fun money
• Abuse
• The random dice generator

Can the Absolute Backgammon software run on a Mac or Linux?
Yes, you can play our online backgammon on any operating systems capable to run Shockwave Flash files. Downloadable version is available only for Microsoft Windows.

Username or password incorrect
I received a “Username or password incorrect” message. What is wrong?

If you have forgotten your username or your password, click the Forgot your password? link within the game lobby.

If you are still unsuccessful in retrieving your password, please contact us at support@a-backgammon.com and send us your name and e-mail, under which you are registered with Absolute Backgammon. Once your details are authenticated, you will receive a notification to your e-mail containing your username and your password. Make sure you are trying to log in to a game account, which was created and registered using Absolute Backgammon software and not any of the other versions, which might be distributed over the internet.


Encountering technical difficulties while playing at A-Backgammon.com
I have experienced a malfunction when playing at A-Backgammon.com. How should I address the technical staff in regards to this matter?

This might happen when your computer system clashes with our software. Should you experience a technical problem of any kind, please contact our customer support team at support@a-backgammon.com right away and provide them with a short description of the problem.

Dice reliability
Is it possible for any player to hack the game and control the dice or moves?

All the communication is done through the Absolute Backgammon game server. There is no direct contact at any time between your computer and your opponent’s computer. All the communication is encrypted. There is no way to manipulate the dice as they are generated at the server and sent to both you and your opponent, it is not calculated on one of the player’s machines so he or she could not manipulate the dice as you are connected to the server, not his or her computer.

Real people – genuine players
How do I know I am not playing a bot on your site?

Please note that you can chat with your opponents and viewers while playing. You can also set up a match against a friend: we never force you to play against anyone. In any case, the site is always impartial as a rake is always collected from each game.
In case you agreed with a friend to meet in a certain backgammon room and you cannot see him or her, please click on Settings and make sure the Show Only Players Close To My Rating box is unticked.

Moving checkers
How do I move my checkers and how do I move the lower dice value first?

To move your checkers either drag & drop the checker in place or click on the checker. Left clicking a checker attempts to play the high dice roll first and plays the low dice roll only if the high dice roll was already made or if playing the low dice roll results in an illegal move. Alternatively, right clicking a checker attempts to play the low dice roll first.

Changing game terms
How do I know if my potential opponent changed the game terms while negotiating?

Please note that in the negotiation window, before entering the game board screen, you must notice the terms for each game/match (especially the initial bet and game limits).
For your convenience, each time your opponent changes the terms, these changes will appear in red.

Player’s rating
What is a player’s rating and how is it calculated?

The rating system was made to determine the player’s skill. For any match* you win, you receive rating points. If you lose, you lose rating points as well. Please note: the ratio of how many rating points a player gains and how many rating points his or her opponent loses will not always match.

We use a modified FIBS rating system. You can read more on natural FIBS by clicking here.

Resign automatically
How come my opponent managed to resign automatically for a single point, while he was about to lose by gammon?

In single games, when the sum involved limit is equal to the original sum involved (or current doubling state), the game will end automatically without asking your opponent’s permission.
Example: suppose, the game has a sum involved of $2 per point with a limit of $2. In this case, resignations will be automatically approved. If the limit was set at either $3 or $4, and the game was doubled, resignations would also be immediately approved.
In a series (a.k.a. match play), it will be possible only when the resigning player has no more points to lose. Example: suppose, you are leading 4-2 in a series up to 5. If your opponent then resigns, his or her resignation is automatically approved.

Doubling cube
When can I double my opponent?

Generally, you can double (both in real money and in fun money games) under the following conditions:

Crawford rule
What is “Crawford Rule”?

Crawford rule means that in a series of matches (a.k.a. match play), if one player is one point below the goal, on the next game the doubling cube is unavailable only for that game.
Example: suppose, two players play a match up to 7. If the score is 6-2, then for the next game the doubling cube will not be available.
However, if the game is won by the player, who is behind, the score would be 6-3 and on the next game the doubling cube would be available.

Fun money
I was playing for fun money and I ran out of time, while I was ahead. How come I lost my sum involved?

Whenever playing for fun money, the player, who disconnects or runs out of time, suffers a technical loss of the game/match, regardless of the game board state.

Abuse
How do you prevent players from abusing others by stalling or disconnecting on purpose?

Whenever a player disconnects/times out (real money mode), he or she automatically pays a penalty by win/lose percentages.
Moreover, Absolute Backgammon system recognizes and blocks players who frequently disconnect/cause a timeout.
This means that a player, who disconnects often, will be risking his or her account being automatically banned from the site by our system.

How do you control players that cheat, curse and/or cause general dismay to others?

Absolute Backgammon does everything in its power to prevent any kind of abusive behavior. Most of the time, we do locate and punish players, who are using foul tactics in order to gain unlawful advantage or for any other purpose.
However, every day, an increasing number of new players is joining the site, and along with them, some “rotten apples” as well. Therefore, our work to prevent and eradicate this behavior is an ongoing, 24/7/365 struggle (you should note that most of this behavior is to be found on our “fun” mode, for obvious reasons).
In spite of all that, we can assure you that Absolute Backgammon is better handled than any other site on the net today and far more experienced. Moreover, Absolute Backgammon has the largest community of players from all over the world, to this date – thus, turning to Absolute Backgammon is the best option for any backgammon player, who wishes to play online.

The Absolute Backgammon random dice generator
How can I be sure the dice throws at Absolute Backgammon are 100% random?

We use the Mersenne twister-based random number generator described here.
This random number generator was developed in Keio University, Yokohama, Japan. Please note that it is also utilized by IBM. We tested our system by running millions of rounds and examining the results. We also periodically test the system to ensure its integrity. This generator has a very high quality random-number output.