Play Backgammon Against the Computer
Start a game against the bot right now: no waiting for an opponent, no sign-up, at your own pace. Beginner is for learning the rules, Master for sharpening your game.
Play for freeNo sign-up, no download — right in your browser
Three difficulty levels
| Level | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Beginner | You're just getting to know the game: the computer makes plenty of mistakes and gives you room to learn the rules. |
| Amateur | You know the rules and want an even game: it slips up now and then and punishes your big blunders. |
| Master | You want to test yourself: it plays the best move by its own evaluation of the position. |
Backgammon and long nardy
You can play both games against the computer. Backgammon (short nardy) has hitting and the bar. Long nardy has no hitting, the head rule and a ban on six-point blocks. Matches run to 1, 3, 5 or 7 points.
Why play the computer
- Learn the rules. The game won't let you make an illegal move and highlights where you can go.
- Practice without pressure. Nobody is waiting and there's no clock — think over every move.
- Learn from mistakes. Undo a move, try another, compare.
- Kill some time. A game starts instantly, at any hour.
Ready for real opponents?
Try playing people: NARDEON has quick matchmaking, a rating, tournaments and games with friends by link. Games against people run through the server, and you can verify the dice after every match.
How the levels actually differ
All three levels use the same engine. On every roll it looks at each legal way to play the dice and scores the position each one leaves behind. Master simply takes the best score. Amateur adds a little random noise to those scores, so now and then a slightly weaker move wins out. Beginner adds a lot of noise, so its mistakes are frequent and unpredictable. It isn't setting traps or letting you win on purpose; it simply misjudges positions.
That's why Beginner is the right opponent for learning the rules and Master is the right one for learning to play: against Master, a loose checker or a wasted roll usually gets punished.
What a game looks like
- Press Vs computer, then choose Long or Short, the Match to length and the Level.
- Press Roll. Checkers that can move are ringed; tap one, then tap a highlighted point.
- Changed your mind? Undo step takes back the last checker. When you're happy, press Done.
- Rolled a double? After the first two moves, Repeat plays the same two moves again in one tap.
- Your opponent shows up at the board as "Bot, master" (or beginner, amateur) and replies within moments.
On a computer you can play without the mouse: Space rolls or confirms, the arrow keys pick a checker and a target, Enter moves, Backspace undoes a step.
A simple practice plan
| Stage | Level | Match length |
|---|---|---|
| Learn the rules | Beginner | 1 point |
| Start winning regularly | Amateur | 3 points |
| Test yourself | Master | 5 or 7 points |
Longer matches against Master are the fairer test. In a single game one lucky double can decide everything; over seven points the stronger player usually comes through. If a loss puzzles you, play the same position again with Undo step before you confirm and compare the outcomes.
Play for freeNo sign-up, no download — right in your browser
FAQ
Does the computer cheat with the dice?
No. The computer doesn't see future rolls and can't choose them: it gets its dice the same way you do and only decides how to play them.
How strong is the Master level?
Master always plays the move it rates best — no going easy on you. It's hard for a beginner to beat, but the dice give everyone a chance.
Can I undo a move?
Yes. Until you confirm your move, you can undo any step and play it differently.
Do I need an internet connection?
To load the page, yes. The game against the computer then runs in your browser and doesn't wait on the server, so it stays fast even on a weak connection.
Can I play long nardy against the computer too?
Yes. Both games are available against the computer: backgammon (short nardy) and long nardy, with matches to 1, 3, 5 or 7 points.
Updated: October 24, 2026