Backgammon Craftmanship Shows in Software Versions, Too

Just as there are stunningly, drool-inducing hand-crafted backgammon boards and pieces out there in the real world, so there are in the virtual world of ones and zeros – or in other words, high quality backgammon software for your computer. And although fine craftsmanship might not be a top concern when you are just learning the game or practicing on your screen, quality-designed backgammon software can make a difference in the appreciation of the sport, and might even attract fans that might otherwise have shunned our traditional wooden boards and real-world pieces.

One example of a gorgeous virtual experience is a Macintosh game called "Absolute Backgammon", created and designed by David Byrum. Macintosh users can find and download Absolute Backgammon at www.bestbackgammon.com/absolute.

Byrum not only gives you a large or – depending upon your screen size and resolution – full screen playing board, but the board styles that you can choose from are beautifully crafted, from traditional wood to a Mac OS X "Aqua" transparency feel. The pieces are real-looking, the dice sounds captured and real, even the "clink, clink" of pieces tapping and advancing on the board make you feel more of your backgammon senses. You can download and install other board styles, too.

Obviously, you can play against another human opponent or the computer itself, but where David outdid himself – or at least demonstrated he was a Mac fanatic himself – was his addition of voice recognition in Absolute Backgammon. That's right, you can play the game by speaking!

Although it takes some practice (you have to know the game positions well, like calling a chess move sequence), giving the backgammon player the ability to play hands-free is liberating experience even for the traditional gamer, not to mention those who cannot use their hands or at the least control a mouse or keyboard. The game also includes basic instructions on game play, help, stat logging, and several other features.

Byrum's creation is worth checking out, Mac users.