4.3BSD-Reno/share/man/cat6/backgammon.0

BACKGAMMON(6)		      1990		    BACKGAMMON(6)



NNAAMMEE
     backgammon - the game of backgammon

SSYYNNOOPPSSIISS
     bbaacckkggaammmmoonn [ - ] [ n r w b pr pw pb t_t_e_r_m s_f_i_l_e ]

DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN
     This program lets you play backgammon against the computer
     or against a "friend".  All commands only are one letter, so
     you don't need to type a carriage return, except at the end
     of a move.  The program is mostly self documenting, so that
     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, instruction 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 obtained 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:

     nn	     don't ask for rules or instructions

     rr	     player is red (implies n)

     ww	     player is white (implies n)

     bb	     two players, red and white (implies n)

     pprr      print the board before red's turn

     ppww      print the board before white's turn

     ppbb      print the board before both player's turn

     tttteerrmm   terminal is type _t_e_r_m, uses /etc/termcap

     ssffiillee   recover previously saved game from _f_i_l_e.  (This can
	     also be done by executing the saved file, i.e., typ-
	     ing its name in as a command)

     Arguments may be optionally  preceded  by	a  `-'.   Several
     arguments may be concatenated together, but not after `s' or
     `t' arguments, since they can be followed	by  an	arbitrary
     string.   Any  unrecognized arguments are ignored.  An argu-
     ment of a lone `-' gets a description of possible arguments.

     If _t_e_r_m has capabilities for  direct  cursor  movement  (see
     _t_e_r_m_c_a_p(5))  _b_a_c_k_g_a_m_m_o_n ``fixes'' the board after each move,
     so the board does not  need  to  be  reprinted,  unless  the
     screen suffers some horrendous malady.  Also, any `p' option



Printed 7/27/90               June				1






BACKGAMMON(6)		      1990		    BACKGAMMON(6)



     will be ignored.  (The `t' option is  not	necessary  unless
     the   terminal   type  does  not  match  the  entry  in  the
     /etc/termcap data base.)

QQUUIICCKK RREEFFEERREENNCCEE
     When the program prompts by typing only your color,  type	a
     space or carriage return to roll, or

     dd	     to double

     pp	     to print the board

     qq	     to quit

     ss	     to save the game for later

     When the program prompts with 'Move:', type

     pp	     to print the board

     qq	     to quit

     ss	     to save the game

     or a _m_o_v_e, which is a sequence of

     ss--ff     move from ss to ff

     ss//rr     move one man on ss the roll rr

     separated by commas or spaces and	ending	with  a  newline.
     Available abbreviations are

     ss--ff11--ff22   means ss--ff11,,ff11--ff22

     ss//rr11rr22    means ss//rr11,,ss//rr22

     Use `b' for bar and `h' for home, or 0 or 25 as appropriate.

AAUUTTHHOORR
     Alan Char

FFIILLEESS
     /usr/games/teachgammon   - rules and tutorial

     /etc/termcap	      - terminal capabilities

BBUUGGSS
     The program's strategy needs much work.






Printed 7/27/90               June				2