Global Backgammon Game
Outline and Instructions


Object Of Backgammon

Each player must move his pieces according to the numbers shown on the
throw of two simulated dice, and players move their pieces in opposite
directions.  The blue pieces move in a Clockwise direction.  The white
pieces move in a Counter-Clockwise direction.  The winner is the first
player to move all of his pieces off of the board.

Players wager points on the outcome of the game by using a doubling
cube. The winner of the game is awarded the number of points showing
on the doubling cube when the game ends (if the winner scores a Gammon
or Backgammon he is awarded double or triple the value of the doubling
cube). The losing player loses an equal number of points.

The first player to reach a specific number of points (determined by
the Sysop) will have his/her name added to the "Hall of Fame".


Backgammon Rules And Terminology

When the game begins, the computer will assign both players one die.
The dice will be rolled, and the player rolling the highest die will
play first using the numbers showing on the dice for his first move.
If the same number appears on both dice, an "automatic double" occurs;
the value of the doubling cube will be doubled and the players will
roll again.

Once the game starts, the computer will roll simulated dice at the
start of each turn.  The numbers shown on the dice are considered
individually and not as a sum total.  Thus, a player may move one
piece the whole throw as long as the points designated by each die are
open, or he may move each of the two numbers of each roll whenever
possible. If he cannot move, play passes to his opponent.


Doubles

If the same number appear on both dice, the player will move the
number shown on one dice four times.  You can move the same piece all
four moves, or any other combination of pieces you choose.


Blocked Point

Any point on the playing board on which two or more pieces of the same
player sit is a blocked point.  The opposing player's pieces may not
land on a blocked point, however they may move over the blocked point.
There is no limit to the number of pieces one player may have on a
point.


Blot

A blot is any point on which a player has only one man.  Since pieces
of opposite colors cannot occupy the same point, when an opponent
lands on a blot he removes the piece that was there and replaces it
with his own. This is then called a "hit".  The removed piece is
placed on the bar.


Bar

Once one of your pieces has been placed on the bar you must throw the
dice, when your turn occurs, and you must "enter" into your opponent's
inner table before you may move any of your other men.  Entering is
accomplished by moving the piece on the bar to a point that is not
blocked.  If you cannot enter because both points indicated are
blocked, the turn passes to your opponent.


Bearing Off

Bearing off means removing your pieces from the playing board by the
roll of the dice.  You cannot start bearing off until all 15 of your
pieces are in your inner table.  You may then either bear off pieces
from points cooresponding to dice thrown or you may move your pieces
within your inner table according to the numbers shown on the dice.
You must use your entire roll if possible.  This means that if you
roll a six, but have no men on your six point, you must take a piece
off the highest point which you do have men.  The same rule applies if
you roll doubles.  However, you cannot bear off a piece if the point
indicated on the die is vacant and there are any pieces on a higher
counting point.  If while bearing off, a piece in your inner table is
"hit", that piece goes to the bar and must reenter as described.  You
cannot continue to bear off until you have managed to get this piece
who was "hit" back into your inner table.


Doubling

The doubling cube is used to double the betting stakes.  Automatic
doubling occurs on each tie in the opening throw.  Voluntary doubling
means that a player offers to double the stakes when it is his turn to
play and before he has thrown the dice.  A double may be accepted or
declined.  If a player accepts the double, the stakes are doubled and
doubling alternates between players thereafter.  If a player declines,
he loses whatever the stakes were before the double was offered, the
game is ended, the player who offered the double is declared the
winner and is awarded whatever the stakes were before the double was
offered.


Global Backgammon Scoring

A game is won when either player bears off all of his pieces first.
The winner of the game is awarded the number of points showing on the
doubling cube when the game ends (if the winner scores a Gammon or
Backgammon the score is double or triple the value of the doubling
cube).  The losing player loses an equal number of points.

    Gammon

    A Gammon is won if the winner's opponent has not born off any of
    his men.  The game is worth twice the value shown on the doubling
    cube.

    Backgammon

    A Backgammon is won if the winner's opponent has not born off any
    of his pieces and has one or more pieces in the winner's inner
    table or on the bar.  The game is worth triple the value shown on
    the doubling cube.

    Forfeiture

    If a player does not take his turn in a certain number of days
    (determined by the Sysop), that player forfeits the game and
    points are awarded as described above.


Acey-Deucy Variation

The game of Acey-Deucy is similar to Backgammon, with a few rule
changes.

The game starts with an empty board. Both players begin with all of
their pieces on the bar.  On his or her turn, a player is free to
enter a man in the same manner in which a piece is entered from the
bar in backgammon, or he can make a move on the board, otherwise the
usual rules of backgammon apply.

There is one additional feature; a dice roll of 2:1 confers a big
bonus. The player first moves 2:1 in the normal way, then chooses any
doublet he wishes and plays these moves as well after which, for good
measure, he has another turn. If the next roll is also a 2:1, then the
sequence is repeated.

Luck can obviously play a big part in Acey-deucy, but there is an
additional skill in controlling entry: a piece held back is
invulnerable and can strike a blot as the opponent is poised to bear
off.

End of instructions
