backgammon 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. backgammon is mostly self documenting, so that a q ? (question mark) will usually get some help. If you answer y when backgammon 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 backgammon, and a tutorial consisting of a practice game against the computer. A description of how to use backgammon 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:
Arguments may be optionally preceded by a - sign. 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 argument of a lone - gets a description of possible arguments.
If term has capabilities for direct cursor movement. 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.
When backgammon prompts by typing only your color, type a space or carriage return to roll, or
When backgammon prompts with 'Move:', type
or a move, which is a sequence of
Use b for bar and h for home, or 0 or 25 as appropriate.
backgammon's strategy needs much work.
Created by unroff & hp-tools. © somebody (See intro for details). All Rights Reserved. Last modified 11/5/97