{"id":102,"date":"2022-09-18T20:11:27","date_gmt":"2022-09-18T20:11:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/?page_id=102"},"modified":"2022-10-12T15:11:13","modified_gmt":"2022-10-12T15:11:13","slug":"xg-mobile-the-backgammon-to-rule-them-all","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/xg-mobile-the-backgammon-to-rule-them-all\/","title":{"rendered":"XG Mobile &#8211; the backgammon to rule them all"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Review<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Quick facts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>AI strengh: superhuman (PR 0.5)<\/li><li>multiplayer: no<\/li><li>tutor \/ analysis: yes, outstanding<\/li><li>price: $10<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/de\/app\/xg-mobile-backgammon\/id536774050\">App store link<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Summary: The strongest backgammon AI in the App store. UI and usability is good, but not on par with the best. Still highly recommended for the price of admission.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, &#8220;to rule them all&#8221; only applies to the AI. The thing is, Extreme Gammon Mobile (XG Mobile) doesn\u2018t feature any multiplayer mode. It\u2018s you against the strongest mobile Backgammon on this planet, an engine of superhuman strength, even stronger than Backgammon NG and True Backgammon HD, although you probably won\u2018t notice the strength difference &#8211; they all destroy us mere mortals.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As there are only so few, let\u2018s start with XG Mobile\u2018s weaknesses: it has no multiplayer, the board doesn\u2019t look as crisp as in some competing products and has some rendering glitches, and it features what can only be called \u201dthe infuriating toolbar\u201c, a toolbar that is both very ugly to look at and infuriatingly hard to open if you choose the auto-hide option.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here it is (took me something like 20 attempts to get it to show up on my iPad Pro)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/AFB10624-BF81-4576-BDC0-81E4319F01F2-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/AFB10624-BF81-4576-BDC0-81E4319F01F2-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/AFB10624-BF81-4576-BDC0-81E4319F01F2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/AFB10624-BF81-4576-BDC0-81E4319F01F2-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/AFB10624-BF81-4576-BDC0-81E4319F01F2-1536x1151.png 1536w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/AFB10624-BF81-4576-BDC0-81E4319F01F2-2048x1535.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption>The \u201cinfuriating toolbar\u201d. Still shows Google+ in 2022. And takes forever to understand how to unhide.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately this is the toolbar you have to open to get access to XG Mobile\u2018s options. It\u2018s distractingly colourful, features stupid social networks buttons (including G+ which is out of business for years). It\u2018s ugly to look at, and the place where I have the best chances to get it to open is right next to the doubling cube. I\u2018ve ended up with some really stupid involuntary doubles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So much for the complaining. On the positive side, you get a world champion backgammon teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recently I&#8217;ve <a href=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/who-rules-them-all\/\" title=\"Who rules them all?\">spent much of my computer&#8217;s time analyzing matches<\/a> of XG mobile. After 6 matches to overall 46 points I&#8217;m confident it&#8217;s PR is around 0.5. This means that even the best human player on this planet (Mochy with a PR of 2.5) will make about five times the mistakes of XG Mobile does! Truly amazing playing strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from the best engine that\u2018s out there, XG Mobile also has the most helpful and sophisticated tutor and analysis features to be found on a mobile device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In tutor mode, you get immediate, wonderful feedback after a move or cube decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8FC84554-4230-4361-968B-154BB67BBADC-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8FC84554-4230-4361-968B-154BB67BBADC-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8FC84554-4230-4361-968B-154BB67BBADC-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8FC84554-4230-4361-968B-154BB67BBADC-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8FC84554-4230-4361-968B-154BB67BBADC-1536x1151.png 1536w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/8FC84554-4230-4361-968B-154BB67BBADC-2048x1535.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption>I played 42 as 24\/20, 13\/11 which was a small mistake. First it tells you that you\u2019ve failed, and if you want\u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C3F3BD70-A91D-40FC-8C6F-179E24B0FFD3-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-106\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C3F3BD70-A91D-40FC-8C6F-179E24B0FFD3-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C3F3BD70-A91D-40FC-8C6F-179E24B0FFD3-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C3F3BD70-A91D-40FC-8C6F-179E24B0FFD3-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C3F3BD70-A91D-40FC-8C6F-179E24B0FFD3-1536x1151.png 1536w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C3F3BD70-A91D-40FC-8C6F-179E24B0FFD3-2048x1535.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption>\u2026 it will show you the best moves in a list; the little \u201deye\u201d will visualize the selected move with arrows.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that it even shows you all relevant probabilities &#8211; how does every move change my chances to win, to win with a gammon, a backgammon, and same for my opponent. Excellent. Of course it\u2019s just a tutor, not a teacher. If you\u2019re confused by all its figures, check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/the-tutortorial-how-to-improve-your-skills-with-the-top-backgammon-apps\/\" title=\"The Tutortorial \u2013 How to improve your skills with the top backgammon apps\">tutortorial<\/a> to understand how to work with tutors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After each game you get the (often disastrous) summary of your and its own performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>XG Mobile offers to export matches, e.g. for analysis on the PC, the full backgammon rule and feature set (matches to any length or money games, Jacoby rule, adjustable playing strength, game modes from tutor etc).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to options, XG mobile is well-equipped: full control over all kinds of aspects of the game and backgammon rules are there. And a couple of different designs offer a nice board for every taste &#8211; five different board styles combined with 9 different checkers offer plenty of variation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C39ED38E-A043-4491-B40A-9C8259470256-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-107\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C39ED38E-A043-4491-B40A-9C8259470256-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C39ED38E-A043-4491-B40A-9C8259470256-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C39ED38E-A043-4491-B40A-9C8259470256-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C39ED38E-A043-4491-B40A-9C8259470256-1536x1151.png 1536w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/C39ED38E-A043-4491-B40A-9C8259470256-2048x1535.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption>Leather board with wooden checkers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The premium version offers stronger tutors, different board designs and a few other cool features at $10. Considering that there was a time, not long ago, when such a full-featured backgammon would cost you $100-$300 this is a bargain :-). Supposedly the premium version includes multiplayer. No clue where this is supposed to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/B8C3944B-99D2-4538-A09E-5A8085723D66-1024x473.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-132\" width=\"768\" height=\"355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/B8C3944B-99D2-4538-A09E-5A8085723D66-1024x473.png 1024w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/B8C3944B-99D2-4538-A09E-5A8085723D66-300x139.png 300w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/B8C3944B-99D2-4538-A09E-5A8085723D66-768x355.png 768w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/B8C3944B-99D2-4538-A09E-5A8085723D66-1536x710.png 1536w, https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/B8C3944B-99D2-4538-A09E-5A8085723D66-2048x947.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption>XG mobile on an iPhone looks nice but features large borders. You still have to tap lightly on the rightmost non-black pixel to open that toolbar\u2026<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>All in all: if you want to improve your backgammon, XG Mobile is one of the best backgammon you can get. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Review Quick facts AI strengh: superhuman (PR 0.5) multiplayer: no tutor \/ analysis: yes, outstanding price: $10 App store link Summary: The strongest backgammon AI in the App store. UI and usability is good, but not on par with the best. Still highly recommended for the price of admission. Well, &#8220;to rule them all&#8221; only [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-102","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":364,"href":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/102\/revisions\/364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gammonrants.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}