MS Internet Backgammon cheaters

Anonymous
2011-02-19T18:20:49+00:00

I have a Masters Degree in statistics (so I have a modicum of awareness regarding probabilities in rolling a pair of dice) and have been playing competitive backgammon since 1975. There is no doubt that the complaints presented under headings such as "internet backgammon cheaters" are accurate observations. I've been told there are also sites where a player can go to download the cheat program(s). When one is significantly ahead in a game and a double would intelligently be declined, but is accepted by the opponent, and that player then communicates "good luck" and subsequently rolls 5 or 6 doubles in a row, something is not right. I have also noted, after reading contributed complaints, that a player can, and does, move more pips than the number rolled on the dice. Many times, but not always, you see an indication of a cheater when chat has been turned off. They are so ignorant that they believe if they can't see your message "not again" or "it's your turn" it isn't sent. Either way, the isCERTAINLY A HIGH NUMBER OF CHEATERS. A "normal" game of backgammon just does not have 5 to 10 doubles rolled by the same player. That doesn't mean it never happens, but not with the regularity it occurs in MS Internet Backgammon. It used to be a pleasure for me to spend a few moments of free time playing. Now it's just aggrivating and not worth dealing with opponents who know they can't compete without cheating. Why not add a level of players to the current "Expert", "Intermediate" and "Beginner" ...  "Dummies" so the cheaters have a chance of winning legitimately? I don't know what the so called "cheat codes" do or how they work. Has Microsoft lost so much of it's technical edge they can't find a "fix". How about each time a player executes a fix (cheat) code, he/she gets bumped off the site with a note "You've been busted as a cheater". Too easy?

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Anonymous
2012-01-01T04:51:23+00:00

I agree, it seems like there are people cheating.  That is why I looked up "Is cheating on internet backgammon possible."  

On the other hand, I am not one of the smart ones (I play because I can't sleep) and I probably couldn't figure out how to cheat if I tried, but I have still gotten rolls that make it impossible for the other player to have a fair chance.  That is too bad too because I love a good game to the end, win or lose.  It seems like a conundrum. I wonder how much is the computer changing up the odds.  Sometimes I wonder if I am even playing real people.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-07T16:11:40+00:00

    I have noticed people moving a checker back and forth from 19 - 24 very quickly and then my screen freezes and I time out. It happened twice this morning.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-06T21:32:45+00:00

    Thanks for your post about backgammon cheaters. I too have ran into many of them on the sites where I play.  I really can't understand where the fun is if you're cheater.  Except that you like to frustrate people. It does become obvious to me when they turn on the code.  I am relatively good at the game.  Many times when I'm ahead and it's clear I'll win. After I double, then you can see a significant sing in the game. Double after double.  Where's the challenge for the cheater. They can't win with their own smarts.  I do wish these sites would shut down the cheaters.  I really don't play anymore because of this problem.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-02T22:41:18+00:00

    This is the best reponse. There may be cheaters out there, but they are rare. MSN on the other hand is anything but random. The algorithm is designed to favorr one player or the other prior to the beginning of the match. This can be based on rating points along with whatever mysterious reasons they have. Time and again I have noticed that once certain levels are reached that winning a match is almost impossible until you fall below some other level.

    To watch the rolls when you are on one of these winning (or losing) streaks is increible. When you can predict the roll with 90% accuracy, randomness has nothing to do with what's going on. The bottom line is you either accept a very flawed system and attempt to have fun or get fitted for a straight jacket cause random and fair are not what happens at MSN.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-09-29T04:23:23+00:00

    the computer is rolling the dice for both players. and my husband and I just played yahtzee in the backyard and I rolled 5 yahtzees in one game! So if I can do that on my own........?  Let's just quit crying over a stupid little game ok? It happens to me to but who cares, it's a game. I don't lose any sleep over it. I'm a grown-up.

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