Provided by: bsdgames_2.17-21_amd64 
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 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, 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, 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 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
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 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
/usr/share/misc/termcap terminal capabilities
BUGS
The program's strategy needs much work.