Backgammon on Partygammon. Definitely a nice break from Poker!

[whitenight]

Gus Hansen's a big fan of backgammon, as some of you know and I go through phases of liking the game, too. So I signed up to Partypoker recently, and I thought I'd have a go at their backgammon site. And what do I think of it? It's really good *except that* it is a little quiet. But if quiet, why do I say it is good? Here's why I think this is a plus point: if your standard of play is not so hot then you'll find that it is a nice place to learn the art of the money game as the chances of meeting a shark are pretty low I've found. Then after many months of play you might think of moving on to meet the hot players on sites such as Play65, gammonempire etc. I wouldn't go straight for the busier backgammon sites as a newcomer only because while there are more players, even at the lower stakes you'll find that the standard of play is pretty high. And your bankroll will be squeezed in no time. Not so (at least for me) on Partygammon's matches. Where my wins and losses have been quite steady due to the lower standard of play (or is it good luck?) Albeit one negative for Partygammon is that they do not have a rating systme like other sites use, so you'll be unsure of how good or bad someone is before you play them. My defence has been to set the stakes low which has kept the sharks away - good players generally aren't bothered with matches for under $10 I've found so far...

Sure there are a couple of 'guys' (hmm almost said another term...) who are sitting in the Match section with their $500 three point games looking for action (and it remains a mystery why they think anyone wants to play with them when they set their game status to private so no one can look on at the game when it is taking place?) but as long as you set you match game to something under $10 I'm sure they won't be bothered with you. At least that's been my experience. When setting up a game you can set the match length, the wager (anything you like - even a dollar per match if you're a total beginner), and how fast you'd like the game to proceed. I find their normal speed to give an acceptably fast game as they only allow about 15 seconds per move which hasn't shown me any slow players yet.

Alll in all, I've really liked the site for playing backgammon as I can use the same signup details for the far busier Partypoker (which is a great bonus not having to go through all the signup rigmarole again) and the standard of play at the lower stakes is definitely not that which would scare off any beginner to the money game. Partygammon: highly recommended for anyone looking for a break from Poker for a little while.

[travz21]

Back when PartyPoker wasn't ridiculous and allowed US players, I would frequent the backgammon games. I might have been the first one ever to multitable multiple backgammon games and poker games simultaneously. Now that was fun. However, PP decided to ban US players and I will never forgive them.

[whitenight]

Ah ha... that explains why it is so quiet then!

That's is such a shame that they have banned US players as FTilt are the ones who have clearly benefited from this. I'm really unimpressed by FT's customer support too. Anyway, Partygaming's stock price hit the floor when it was announced too. On the other hand, PP is a stock market listed company so you can't blame them for their having to do things by the book. They have absolutely no choice in the matter - if they want to continue as a listed stock market company. It was a ridiculous ban - thanks no less to the hidden power of the ultra moralistic Christian right - & God bless the increasingly secular/pluralistic European ideals. LOL!!) needless to say, and hopefully the day will come when it will be lifted and all will be back to (busy!) normal.

[grndizzle]

I think they offer backgammon at Nordica under the other games tab. I'm usually playing Euchre on Nordica though.