BACKGAMMON(6) BSD Reference Manual BACKGAMMON(6)
NAME
backgammon - the game of backgammon
SYNOPSIS
backgammon [-bdnrw] [-s file]
DESCRIPTION
This program lets you play backgammon against the computer or against a
'friend'. All commands are only one letter, so you don't need to type a
carriage return, except at the end of a move. The program is mostly
self-explanatory: a question mark (?) will usually get some help. If you
answer 'y' when the program asks if you want the rules, you will get text
explaining the rules of the game, some hints on strategy, instructions on
how to use the program, and a tutorial consisting of a practice game
against the computer. A description of how to use the program can be ob-
tained by answering 'y' when it asks if you want instructions.
The possible arguments for backgammon (most are unnecessary but some are
very convenient) consist of:
-b Two players, red and white (implies -n).
-d Play without doubling.
-n Don't ask for rules or instructions.
-r Player is red (implies -n).
-s file
Recover previously saved game from file.
-w Player is white (implies -n).
QUICK REFERENCE
When the program prompts by typing only your color, type a space or car-
riage return to roll, or one of the following:
d to double
q to quit
r to redraw the board
s to save the game for later
When the program prompts with 'Move:', type one of the following:
q to quit
r to redraw the board
s to save the game
Or a move, which is a sequence of one of the following:
s-f move from s to f
s/r move one man on s the roll r separated by commas or spaces
and ending with a newline. Available abbreviations are as
follows:
s-f1-f2 means s-f1,f1-f2
s/r1r2 means s/r1,s/r2
Use b for bar and h for home, or 0 or 25 as appropriate.
FILES
/usr/games/teachgammon rules and tutorial
AUTHORS
Alan Char
The strategy is the "pubeval" algorithm of Gerry Tesauro, with minimal
doubling logic added.
MirBSD #10-current May 31, 1993 1