Backgammon is a lot of fun with iGammon. It's easy to move the checkers by dragging them. Or touch a checker you want to move, then the point you want to move it to. The smooth animation gives the game a great feel.

"The interface in iGammon is clean and easy to use. Best of all, it just works."

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FEATURES:

• Landscape or portrait orientation.
• Fast animation.
• Autoplay forced moves.
• The "auto finish" feature plays both sides to the end of the game.
• Undo button lets you to take back moves.
• Repeat button lets you see your opponent's move again.
• Running pip count.
• Choose direction of play. Bear off either to the left or to the right.
• Reverse colors. Choose red or yellow checkers.
• Human-vs-human play. Use your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch as a traveling backgammon board!
• Tutor mode tells you when you've made a mistake.
• Hint feature gives you a suggestion if you can't decide what to do.

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MODES OF PLAY

There are three modes of play: "single games", "table stakes", or "match play".

In SINGLE GAMES, each game is played without a doubling cube. You get one point for a normal win, two points for a "gammon", and three points for a "backgammon".

In TABLE STAKES, you and your opponent start with an equal number of chips. The goal is to collect all the chips before your opponent does. Use the doubling cube to increase the stakes. If you play with the "Jacoby rule", gammons and backgammon don't count unless the cube has been turned. If you play with the "Beavers rule", a player who accepts a double may immediately redouble and still keep the cube.

In MATCH PLAY, the goal is to be the first player to reach a specified total number of points. Use the doubling cube to increase the stakes. The "Crawford rule" says that the doubling cube is out of play for one game after either player gets to within one point of winning the match. (The doubling cube shows a "C" during the Crawford game.)

You offer a double by sliding the cube over to your opponent's side of the board. Opponent can accept the double by pressing "Take" (the game continues at twice the previous stakes), or reject the double by pressing "Drop" (he loses the game and must pay the previous stakes.)

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COMPUTER PLAYER

The computer AI is VERY strong. There are four styles of player: Cautious, Wild, Advanced, and Expert. All of them are fun and challenging. [By the way, the dice in all levels of iGammon are random and fair. Sometimes you will get bad luck. (Yes, backgammon can be a cruel game!) Don't let bad luck affect your game. Concentrate on doing the best you can and you will see your game improve over time.]

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Thank you for all the suggestions. If you have a feature you'd like to see, please email me at tom@bkgm.com. Many user suggestions have already been incorporated into this app.

I hope you enjoy iGammon. Thank you for playing!

Tom Keith, June 2010.