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I swear the computer cheats

(8 Posts)
absent Mon 18-Feb-13 10:59:21

I was quite prepared to believe that the dice were "thrown" completely randomly when I started playing backgammon against the computer. However, I have noticed that whenever I have an unprotected man, one die always shows the right number for the computer to dob on him, even if it actually doesn't do so. Not so for me when the computer has an unprotected man. I have also noticed that eight out of ten times the computer's last counter into the home zone goes in on a double and that during general play doubles come up more frequently for the computer than they do for me. (I have kept a record, sad woman that I am.) To add insult to injury, on the last nine games played the only double for me was the last game on my last throw when my man was sitting on one – a double six.

Tell me that I am not paranoid and that the machine isn't out to get me. grin

Bez Mon 18-Feb-13 11:41:35

I don't play backgammon or anything else on the computer but that would really annoy me too! We get very uptight over scrabble and have had to stop playing with SiL as he plays a lot on the Internet and there they DO NOT abide by the correct (in our view) rules. Proper nouns are allowed and words which are not English - you have never seen such two letter ones which are, it seems, allowed.
Thing is he will not then play by the normal rules when he wants to play with us so we no longer partake and neither will anyone else in the family.
How sad are we ? - !!!!confused

Ana Mon 18-Feb-13 11:51:22

I play Hearts on the computer and it obviously notes your playing pattern and changes its own to make beating you more likely. Once it realised (well, computed!) I was getting good at disposing of the Queen of Spades it changed tactics to make sure I collected a lot of points by other means.

I realise none of the above will make sense unless you've played Hearts - but basically I agree with absent that the computer develops a strategy to deal with you if you play a certain game for any length of time...

Anne58 Mon 18-Feb-13 12:50:50

I love backgammon, but have never played on the computer. I used to hate playing my ex dh, he would play such a boring "safe" game, never risk leaving a piece unprotected unless he had to.

I'd rather lose an exciting game than win a boring one!

annodomini Mon 18-Feb-13 13:45:01

I used to play backgammon with my ex-OH. Now I have completely forgotten how to play. However, last year, GS, now 8, asked for a set for his birthday so I may get dragged into it once more. Perhaps I could practice on the computer. That could be an addiction that replaces G'net!

Anne58 Mon 18-Feb-13 14:09:31

I've just tried to find backgammon, and it isn't there! The only option is internet backgammon sad

feetlebaum Mon 18-Feb-13 14:22:51

I must agree with the O.P. - leave a blot, and the computer throws just what is needed to land on it... when the computer leaves one, you land all around it, but seldom on it!

I found the one I play at sourceforge.net/projects/d/backgammon

feetlebaum Mon 18-Feb-13 14:25:45

PS: Sorry it isn't there any longer!