Lately, I've been playing on Pasha Backgammon, a Facebook backgammon app. If you choose, the app will analyze your game or match using a GNU engine which you can then review, or you can download .mat files to crunch in GNU or eXtreme Gammon.

I often play 3- or 5-point matches which I usually analyze, and often find that my opponents play at a "world class" or "supernatural" level. Below is an example of this, where my opponent "Guest" played extraordinarily well in a 3-point match that went 3 games, with a fair amount of complexity.

So my question is, am I playing bots, or is it fairly common to come across extremely highly rated opponents in online games?

You played someone using a bot. I wouldn't have expected it on a Facebook app, but there's no limit to the darkness in the human heart.

Ha! I wonder how they do it. There's no long delay between moves, so I suppose they found a way to interface a bot with the game. I don't see the point; messing with people is fun I guess?

I've played a few more "supernaturals" since I posted this. It doesn't bother me, as I play there for the analysis - no money on the line. I'd rather play mere mortals, don't get me wrong.

I know you're not a fan of online games for money Bill - one reason you mentioned is you may be playing a bot. Now I'm convinced; if they'll play fun games with a bot, then they will certainly play money games with a bot.

One thing to add - GNU source code is easily available for download. I suppose a software developer can find a way to interface GNU with some of the online games.

yeah gnu is easily interfaced, there were a couple of bots on russian bg server a few years back put there by developers so ppl could test themselves against a strong opponent

Easy for someone with specific programming skills I would think. I didn't see anything in Google Land discussing it; perhaps the how-to is kept on the down-low.

I've seen bots on servers before, FIBS I believe, but they were listed as bots; no shenanigans going on.