Touchy-Feely? Hand-Held Rolls vs. Computer Rolls

While we are on the subject of real life play versus that other surreal, digital software version of our beloved game of backgammon, let's focus on one aspect of this debate, and it's perhaps one of the more "touchy-feely" aspects at that: the roll of the dice.

Now, we are not talking about the mathematical or strategical facets of the dice roll but rather the actual feel of holding and tossing the dice in your hands versus the absence of that sense, that physical action, in a digital game. Here are a few pros and cons of each side.

The digital roll will consistently put the dice on the proper spot of the board, and you can never lose a die or the dice on your screen (so no fear of being short a crucial piece of the game). The software game allows for a faster rate of play, too. In Freeverse.com's Big Bang Backgammon, for example, you don't even have to click on the dice to initiate a roll - it happens automatically after your opponent finishes his or hers move, and vice versa.

Meanwhile, in the real world, a lot can be said for the experience of shaking the dice in your hand or in the cup you hold. You feel like YOU have the power or control of the moment, that it's YOUR double-pump arm movement that actually caused those double-5's to show up (or so we think).

So which is better? It's up to you. Online games are usually faster and there's no need for a special set up. But simultaneously the computer roll is based on mathematical algorithms and isn't as "pure" in its random rolls as when it comes out of our own hands.