Suggested Improvements

[CaractacusPots]

There are a couple of things that could really do with improvement with the game here.

The first is the most important

The lack of an UNDO function is really frustrating and creates numerous possibilities for making mis-click moves.

This happens because the system forces you to move one piece at a time and it updates the server after each move. If you mess up the moving of the first piece due to the clunky movement mechanism then you're stuffed and can't undo.

Ideally what needs to happen here is for the user to be free to make all the moves he needs and then to SUBMIT the move at which point it is verified and updated with the server. Rather than doing it one piece at a time. The player should be able to move a piece back and forth before final submission.

The second improvement is just a minor niggle.


When bearing off and you have 1 piece remaining the system strangely doesn't let you bear the piece straight off.

For example if you have one remaining piece on the 5 point and you roll 5-1 the system forces you to move the piece 1 first and then bear off instead off just allowing you to bear off. It's silly but probably easy to fix.

Cheers

[euklid314]

This has been suggested before I think. Naturally I support all your improvement suggestions.

The situation with the 5-1 is an implementation issue, I assume. The programmer took the safe way to ensure that the backgammon rules are enforced: A legal move must use BOTH dice if it is possible. If it is not possible to move both dice then you have to move the HIGHER dice number of your dice. Only if this is also not possible you are allowed to move the LOWER number of your dice. If this is also not possible you "fan" (= cannot move), and it is your opponents turn.

Obviously, in real life, nobody will move 5-1 as BGA enforces it at the moment. You would simply move 5-off and the game is over - because the end result of 5-4, 4-off and 5-off is the same anyway.

[CaractacusPots]

A legal move must use BOTH dice if it is possible.

The simple rule is:

"except when any one move will win the game"

[Jest Phulin]

The official rule of the World Backgammon Association is

4.5 Completion
All games and matches must be played to the end, unless brought to an end by the pass of a double or a player running out of time, if the match is played using a game clock.

There is no note that it can be ended early based on a die roll.

Additionally,

4.2 Checkers and moves
...
5.Players may not, in an uncontrolled manner move their checkers back and forth across the board in order to test new positions.

I think there are some pretty severe technical issues on this site that prevent a player doing all their moves client-side and submitting a final situation back to the server.

[b4rdarian]

I just want to second the suggestion of adding a submit / undo button between moves. I tend to play on my mobile phone and my fingers are not as accurate as the mouse pointer. I have suffered "fat finger" induced losses a couple of times and it's frustrating.