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%sccs.include.redist.man%
@(#)backgammon.6 6.5 (Berkeley) 06/23/90
The possible arguments for backgammon (most are unnecessary but some are very convenient) consist of:
8 n don't ask for rules or instructions
8 r player is red (implies n)
8 w player is white (implies n)
8 b two players, red and white (implies n)
8 pr print the board before red's turn
8 pw print the board before white's turn
8 pb print the board before both player's turn
8 t\fiterm terminal is type term , uses /etc/termcap
8 s\fifile 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 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 /etc/termcap data base.)
8 d to double
8 p to print the board
8 q to quit
8 s to save the game for later
.i0 When the program prompts with 'Move:', type
8 p to print the board
8 q to quit
8 s to save the game .i0
or a move , which is a sequence of
8 s-f move from s to f
8 s/r move one man on s the roll r
separated by commas or spaces and ending with a newline. Available abbreviations are
10 s-f1-f2 means s-f1,f1-f2
Use `b' for bar and `h' for home, or 0 or 25 as appropriate.
25 /usr/games/teachgammon - rules and tutorial
25 /etc/termcap - terminal capabilities
The program's strategy needs much work.