BACKGAMMON(6)BACKGAMMON(6)NAMEbackgammon - the game of backgammonSYNOPSISbackgammon [ - ] [ n r w b pr pw pb tterm sfile ]
DESCRIPTION
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 con‐
sisting 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:
n don't ask for rules or instructions
r player is red (implies n)
w player is white (implies n)
b two players, red and white (implies n)
pr print the board before red's turn
pw print the board before white's turn
pb print the board before both player's turn
tterm terminal is type term, uses /etc/termcap
sfile recover previously saved game from file. (This can also be
done by executing the saved file, i.e., typing 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 argu‐
ments are ignored. An argument of a lone `-' gets a description of
possible arguments.
If term has capabilities for direct cursor movement (see termcap(5))
backgammon ``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 will be ignored. (The `t' option is not necessary
unless the terminal type does not match the entry in the /etc/termcap
data base.)
QUICK REFERENCE
When the program prompts by typing only your color, type a space or
carriage return to roll, or
d to double
p to print the board
q to quit
s to save the game for later
When the program prompts with 'Move:', type
p to print the board
q to quit
s to save the game
or a move, which is a sequence of
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
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.
AUTHOR
Alan Char
FILES
/usr/games/teachgammon - rules and tutorial
/etc/termcap - terminal capabilities
BUGS
The program's strategy needs much work.
4.2 Berkeley Distribution June 23, 1990 BACKGAMMON(6)