Ever since its transformation from a rather old fashioned parlor game played by dusty old gentlemen in tweed suits to one of the hottest games on the Internet, backgammon continues to attract new fans across the globe.  Old fans have packed away their chipped wooden boards with the broken and missing wooden pieces in favour of playing online backgammon on the internet.

So, you want to try out internet backgammon, but where to begin?  First of all, you could download one of the many standalone games that provide you with a computer opponent.  Most of these games are fine, but you will probably find yourself being able to beat the computer version after some time.  You can also find many sites offering downloadable backgammon software, freeware, shareware or full price, each providing its own value for money.

Alternatively, why not take the plunge and play against a real tough computer opponent on line?  Many sites will allow you to download their own backgammon software which provides you with the program to link up to the supplier’s website.  Here you can play against a computer player or even face up to the challenge from other human online contestants.  The big advantage of such a setup is that these computer opponents are extremely sophisticated, adjusting their levels of difficulty to automatically match their opponent’s skill level.  Using a blend of artificial intelligence and mega computer power, these silicon based backgammon players will really give you a good game. 

The majority of the downloadable backgammon software sites don’t charge you for trying out their software.  They’re trying to get you hooked on their site in the hope that you’ll eventually become a paying client.  Many of these sites also offer gambling sections for the experienced pros, and this adds a further dimension to the online backgammon experience.