BACKGAMMON(6)

NAME
     backgammon - the game of backgammon
     teachgammon - learn to play backgammon

SYNOPSIS
     backgammon [-] [-nrwb] [-pr] [-pw] [-pb] [-t term] [-s file]
     teachgammon

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, instruc-
     tion 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:

     -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

     -t term
             terminal is type term, uses /usr/share/misc/termcap

     -s file
             recover previously saved game from file. (This can also be done
             by executing the saved file, i.e., typing its name in as a com-
             mand)

     Any unrecognized arguments 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
     /usr/share/misc/termcap data base.)

QUICK REFERENCE
     When the program prompts by typing only your color, type a space or car-
     riage 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
     /usr/share/misc/termcap  terminal capabilities

BUGS
     The program's strategy needs much work.