Backgammon Freeware: Where to Find It

Written by: John Temple
31 August 2008

Good backgammon freeware is hard to find. With plenty of competition from for-pay backgammon software, a standalone backgammon freeware download is very rare. Instead, what you’ll find is a ton free software associated with gaming sites. You must download and use a site-specific software in order to play on certain websites, so you’re limited to just that site.

If you want to play backgammon with freeware, here’s some info on a couple of hard to find backgammon freeware applications.

JellyFish: This free backgammon software uses artificial intelligence neural networks that are trained to play backgammon. Neural networks are computer programs that seek to mimic the behavior and elements of biological neurons. JellyFish’s creators claim that at its top level (level 5), while a top human player will win only 55% of the time. The software can be used in many ways, but the most important is the running commentary. As you play this free backgammon software, JellyFish will critique your play so you can make better moves and decisions. You can even simulate playing backgammon for money. Another handy feature is JellyFish’s ability to analyze recorded matches to help determine why you won or lost. The Player 3.0 and Light 3.5 versions of JellyFish have freeware downloads.

TD-Gammon: This is also neural-network based free backgammon software. Many players believe that TD-Gammon displays true artificial intelligence by virtue of its ability to teach itself backgammon and learn from the games it plays. The game was developed by IBM researcher Gerry Tesauro, who is a theoretical physicist. His intent was to create a set learning algorithms that would allow a computer to teach itself a task. Fortunately, for serious backgammon players, TD-Gammon was the result. This freeware for backgammon comes with 5 skill settings, each of which employs an increasingly complex neural-net-driven playing mode. TD-Gammon runs under OS/2 2.1 or higher. Currently, there is no Windows version of this game of backgammon freeware.