Online Games
Backgammon supports two different ways of playing games online: via Game Center and Turn-Based. A Game Center game is a live game session that requires the two players to be simultaneously connected for the duration of a game.

A turn-based game can be played at any time and turns are made by each player without requiring the opponent to be connected at the same time. Moves are sent back and forth, and you access your games in progress from the turn-based lobby.
Note: Game Center is not supported on all Apple devices. Check out our Online Game FAQ for a complete list of supported devices and configurations.
OnlinePlaying Online with Game Center

Backgammon supports two ways of playing online via Game Center: random matches and friend invitations. Both flavors require the players to be playing the game at the same time. In Backgammon, Game Center games are accessed through the Online Console.

To get to the console, from the Main Menu, tap "Multiplayer" and select "Online".

Online Console

The Online Console provides the ability to search for games in the background, find a game immediately, invite a friend to a game, or add new Game Center friends.

Playing a Random Match

Random matches are one of the coolest Game Center features that enables you to play with just about anyone.

There are two ways to play random matches: (1) let Backgammon search for you in the background or (2) try to find someone immediately.

Background Match Searching

Background searches have a number of benefits, but the biggest benefit is that you don't need to sit around staring at a spinning icon waiting. Backgammon does the work for you and let's you know when it has found a game. Background searches will automatically resume if Backgammon is stopped/restarted or temporarily interrupted for any reason.

To start a background search:
• Bring up the Online Console
• Tap "Change Type" and choose the game you want
• Tap "Start Search"

Now you should see the "Searching..." text which means Backgammon is looking for a game. You can exit this menu and go about your business. Backgammon will let you know when it finds a match.
Match Found
That's all there is to it!

Start a Game Immediately:
• Bring up the Online Console
• Tap "Change Type" and choose the game you want
• Tap "Play Now"
In the Game Center menu that just pops up, tap "Play Now" again in the upper right-hand corner.
It is important to note that there are limitations to playing random games online. Specifically, random matchmaking requires there be enough people around to match with. If you are experiencing long wait times it is caused by a lack of other players. In this case we recommend you start a background search.
Invite a Friend To Play

Random matches are all well and good, but there is nothing like playing a game with someone you know. With Game Center you can invite anyone from your friends list to a game of backgammon.

Starting a Game (from the Main Menu)
Bring up the Online Console
• Tap "Change Type" and choose the game you want
• Tap "Play Now"
Now the Game Center play menu appears. Here you could tap "Play Now" which would start a random game. Instead you will want to tap "Invite Friend"

Now you can select a friend from your list to send an invitation to. If your friend isn't listed, check out the "Connecting With Friends" section below
You can customize the invitation text or leave as is.
Tap send
Now you are on a waiting screen. When your friend accepts the invitation, the status on the screen will change to accepted and you can tap "Play Now" to start the game

If you run into any trouble with adding friends or sending/receiving invitations, or getting stuck on waiting, check out the Online Games FAQ help topic

Connecting With Friends
Inviting Friends in Backgammon
If you are running the latest version of iOS (4.2 or newer) and you open the Online Console, you will see the "Add Friends" button. This button will allow you to add new Game Center friends from within Backgammon.

So now, if you discover that someone isn't already on your friend list, you can add them right away.
Open the Online Console
Tap "Add Friends"
Fill out the invitation and tap "Send"

Once your friend recieves and accepts the invite, they will now show up when you go to invite them to a game.

Inviting a friend using Game Center app
If you don't see the "Add Friends" button, you can still add friends you your friend's list. You just can't do that from within Backgammon. You will have to open the Game Center app and send your friend invite from there.

To invite a friend from the Game Center app:
Press the device's home button to return to the main screen (if you aren't already there)
Find the Game Center app and launch it
Tap the "Friends" button on the bottom of the screen
Tap the new '+' button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen
Here you can enter either your friend's email or game center gamer name
Tap send.

At this point your friend should receive an invitation notification and can accept it. Once they have accepted the invite, they will appear in your list of friends. If you are not receiving invites, check out the troubleshooting invites section of the Online Game FAQ