NAME

back − the game of backgammon

SYNOPSIS

/usr/games/back

DESCRIPTION

Back is a program which provides a partner for the game of backgammon.  It is designed to play at three different levels of skill, one of which you must select.  In addition to selecting the opponent’s level, you may also indicate that you would like to roll your own dice during your turns (for the superstitious players).  You will also be given the opportunity to move first.  The practice of each player rolling one die for the first move is not incorporated. 

The points are numbered 1−24, with 1 being white’s extreme inner table, 24 being brown’s inner table, 0 being the bar for removed white pieces and 25 the bar for brown.  For details on how moves are expressed, type y when back asks “Instructions?” at the beginning of the game.  When back first asks “Move?”, type ?  to see a list of move options other than entering your numerical move. 

When the game is finished, back will ask you if you want the log.  If you respond with y, back will attempt to append to or create a file back.log in the current directory. 

FILES

/usr/games/lib/backrules rules file

/tmp/b∗ log temp file

back.log log file

BUGS

The only level really worth playing is “expert”, and it only plays the forward game. 
Back will complain loudly if you attempt to make too many moves in a turn, but will become very silent if you make too few.
Doubling is not implemented.

May 16, 1980