Help Topics
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Introduction
Backgammon is a complex, strategic game where one wrong move can determine if you win or lose. When there are ratings at stake and you can't
afford losses, it's time for Backgammon Buddy
Backgammon Buddy is a non-intrusive tool that helps enhance your Backgammon solving skills and also improve your score. Now the only thing
left to "worry" about is Yahoo giving good dice rolls!
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The Interface (GUI)
Backgammon Buddy works by scanning your current game board and providing you valuable hints and best moves via the show hint
and play hint options, thereby ensuring that you make short work of your opponents and rake in some serious scores. Really want to turn up the heat?
Sit back and watch as Backgammon Buddy masterfully autoplays. And if autoplaying is your preference, feel free to collapse
the GUI (you can always expand it again later).
Backgammon Buddy also offers an arrangement of menu options: Options, Rooms and Help. You can learn more about these by reading below. |
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Menu Options
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The Options menu allows you to access Backgammon Buddy's settings and change them to suit your needs (see below). It also offers an opportunity to refer a buddy (tell a friend) about Backgammon Buddy and/or request a new feature. |
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The Rooms menu has one of most valuable features of Backgammon Buddy. It contains backdoors to each of Yahoo's Backgammon rooms. This feature lets you enter a room even if its full. Note: If the room does not load, login to any Yahoo Backgammon game with your username and password first then select the desired room from the list. |
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The Help menu provides instructions on how to use Backgammon Buddy, a link to the Play Buddy Help Center, shortcuts to buy and register your copy, and a valuable Bug Report feature to use when Backgammon Buddy isn't working. But perhaps the most valuable feature here is the auto check at startup which automatically checks for any updates. |
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| Settings
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| Settings |
Action |
| Window always on top |
Keeps Backgammon Buddy on top of all windows all the time. |
| Show board numbers |
Illustrates or removes the numbers on the tiles of the GUI board. |
| Auto show hint |
Automatically illustrates the next move hint by outlining in yellow and appearing on the purple hint bar. |
| Decline invitations |
All invitations from other players are declined and closed out. |
| Minimize to tray |
Sends the Buddy to the tray (instead of the taskbar) when the minimize button is pressed. |
| Play sound on startup |
Turns the "Welcome to Play Buddy" greeting on and off. Also lets users insert their own sound file. |
| Always play again |
Automatically beings a new game when autoplay is on. |
| Keep game window on top |
Keeps the Backgammon applet (game window) on top of all other windows all the time. |
| Enable autoplay quick stop (space bar) |
Stops autoplay immediately when the space bar is hit. |
| Decline Undos |
Automaticlly declines any "undo" requests made by opponents. |
| Decline resignation offers |
Automatically declines any "resign" requests made by opponents. |
| Always double/accept when match length is >= |
Adjust if/when it is agreed to double/accept when the cube is greater than or equal to X number. |
| Play Speed |
Adjusts how slow or fast rounds are completed during autoplay. |
| Play time |
Sets the autoplay game time for X number of hours to infinite. |
| Engine Options |
Search depth defines the max number of turns reviewed / evaulated per move; the move filter
controls how many moves are kept for future review / evaluation. |
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How To Use
- Log on to Yahoo games with your username and password.
- Launch Backgammon Buddy when your game opens and/or select a room from the Rooms list. Upon entrance it automatically recognizes it and is ready to work.
- Manual players can use the play hint and show hint options.
- Autoplayers need only press the autoplay button to have Backgammon Buddy complete the games automatically.
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Optimizing Performance
- Speed and Efficiency: Backgammon Buddy is already programmed by default with the most optimal engine settings. However, these settings can be altered in ways that compliment your playing style.
- More brain power!:The depth and filter is a memory area where previous moves are stored for recall. The larger the depth and filter, the more moves that are recalled and "studied" by Backgammon Buddy. This will boost performance BUT may slow down the Buddy and other programs on lower end machines.
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HELP!
It won't recognize the game window
Double-check that you have the newest version available. Do this by using the check for update feature under the Help menu on the Buddy. Also, the "News" section at the top of this page has a link to "Updated Buddies." Here you can see if the Buddy has been recently updated and why.
Now make sure that all the system requirements for the Buddy are met. These include Windows XP or Vista, Internet Explorer, Sun Java, and appropriate display settings.
It won't work
First, go to the Help menu on the Buddy and visit the Troubleshoot page to see if your solution is there. No luck? Select the Bug Report feature under the HELP tab on the Buddy. Fill in the required fields, capture the screen, and then send it. Play Buddy Support will receive it and respond to you via e-mail.
Miscellaneous / Other
Don't see an answer to your question, or do you think something else needs to be added to this help file? If so, e-mail support@playbuddy.com with your suggestion. |
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Registering your software
Backgammon Buddy is trialware and it cannot be used once the seven day trial period has expired. To avoid losing a great buddy, buy your copy by using the Buy Now option in the HELP menu or use the link given below. If you have already purchased and need help registering, please click here.
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Download Backgammon Buddy
| Requirements |
| Windows XP or Vista |
| Sun Java |
| Internet Explorer 6.0+ |
Note: AOL users will need to open their games and operate their Buddies in IE Windows
| Found a bug? |
| Help us squash it! Report it using your buddy's HELP menu option |
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