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?