The Bots have potential

by **premio53** on Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:39 am

Unlike Chess where it is now impossible for any human to win a match against a computer, Backgammon is still a game that has not been "solved" and never will be because of the randomness of the dice. There is the potential for a programmer to develop a very strong bot for Conquer Club and maybe eventually be allowed to have a rating (rated game). Even though only the top Backgammon players in the world really have a chance of winning a match against computers it isn't a stone cold lock as in Chess.

by **betiko** on Fri Sep 20, 2013 8:47 am

there used to be turborisk, a small program for pc with IAs that was pretty fun (very basic), and i downloaded once the risk app for iphone, my got the IAs sucked on it! not sure you could have some really good IAs here.

by **benga** on Fri Sep 20, 2013 11:13 am

https://www.conquerclub.com/game.php?game=13364105

2013-09-20 17:31:38 - whamBot: Fair luck, humanoid!
2013-09-20 17:32:56 - whamBot: This is as easy as my girlbot, that coincidentally is also called Private D
2013-09-20 17:35:53 - whamBot: Your Private D must have helped me there
2013-09-20 17:36:51 - whamBot: Wham Bam, Thank You Ma'am Private D
2013-09-20 17:42:37 - whamBot: Nothing like a Private D sandwhich
2013-09-20 17:45:40 - whamBot: Behold me for I am Wham!

by **jimboy** on Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:46 am

I think the bots should disappear forever.

by **nàme** on Sat Sep 21, 2013 4:04 pm

jimboy wrote:I think the bots should disappear forever.

That makes sense.

"I don't like this thing. It doesn't effect me in any way, but it makes others happy and makes them better players. I want them gone!"

by **OliverFA** on Sat Sep 21, 2013 4:58 pm

nàme wrote:
jimboy wrote:I think the bots should disappear forever.

That makes sense.

"I don't like this thing. It doesn't effect me in any way, but it makes others happy and makes them better players. I want them gone!"

Despite I have not played a single game against bots and probably never will, I agree with this. If it makes others happy, then it should stay. After all CC it's supposed to be about tailoring the game to your likes.

Now, if only some people in the suggestions forum agreed also...

I expect some bashing in 3,2,1... :lol:

by **premio53** on Sat Sep 21, 2013 5:12 pm

I realize that CC Bots are very poor players but if some programmer were to develop a strong bot on just one map it could be a great learning tool. Professional Chessmasters and Backgammon players study computer play to prepare for tournaments. If the bots were to start playing at a descent level I see no reason why they could not play in rated games and see where they top out. It would be no different than a backgammon program on FIBS.

I have never played a Fog of War game because it made no sense to me. After playing a bot with that setting I believe at some point in the future I may.

by **premio53** on Sat Sep 21, 2013 5:35 pm

Another possibility is allow players here who know how to program submit bots and see who can develop the strongest engine.

by **DoomYoshi** on Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:22 am

premio53 wrote:Unlike Chess where it is now impossible for any human to win a match against a computer, Backgammon is still a game that has not been "solved" and never will be because of the randomness of the dice. There is the potential for a programmer to develop a very strong bot for Conquer Club and maybe eventually be allowed to have a rating (rated game). Even though only the top Backgammon players in the world really have a chance of winning a match against computers it isn't a stone cold lock as in Chess.

You can't brute force solve it, but if you assume that not all positions are possible, you can get close. For example, if the computer rolls 3-1 on the first roll, treat it as 100% moving the proper opening roll, and the possibilities come down. We do the same types of things when we compare sequences of DNA; not 100% analysis, but treat certain situations as givens, and certain situations as nonsense.