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Frequently Asked QuestionsGeneral questionsWhat is GNU Backgammon?What operating systems are supported?Where do I get it?What do I have to pay for GNU Backgammon?This GNU stuff sounds interesting.I want to learn more about backgammon.Though I really read all the documentation I still have questions.I want backgammon to backgammon accessory make a few proposals. I have new ideas.How to installWhere do I play yahoo backgammon find an installable version for my operating system?Do I need some other software to run GNU Backgammon?I want to install a newer version.I would like to compile it from the source code.What software play 65 backgammon do I need for compiling under GNU/Linux?What software do I need for compiling under MS Windows?It does not compile.On what CPU will GNU Backgammon run fastest?Starting gnubgI get an error backgammon message when starting.GNU backgammon set up Backgammon complains download play65 about missing files.Starting from the WinXP menu it plays like a beginner.My screen set mixes up backgammon type while starting GNU Backgammon.I only get a command-line interface. Where is the nice board?When I restart GNU Backgammon all my settings are gone.I do not need this graphical stuff. Where is the terminal for commands?Playing chouette backgammonWhat is the difference of a new game or match or session?What the heck is a beaver in backgammon set up Backgammon?How do I move the chequers?Why am I allowed to place more than 5 chequers on a backgammon news point?GNU Backgammon plays poorly.GNU Backgammon is too strong for me.I think the bot is cheating. It always backgammon online yahoo gets good dice.SettingsWhere can I change the name of the human player?How do I change the colours?How backgammon set up download play65 do I stop the annoying beeps?"What are "Plies?"What is "noise?"What is "reduced evaluation?"AnalysingWhat are these funny letters at the right bottom?How do up I set up a position manually?Which formats must I use to import positions?Which formats must I use to backgammon supply import matches?How can I switch the players sides?What do "!" and "?" mean?How is the error rate determined?What does "Pips" mean?What does "epc" mean?DatabasesWhat is the `Database' menu for?Abbreviations"GWC"?"MWC"?"DP"?"CP"?"TG"?"epc"?
Frequently Asked backgammon freeware Questions
General questions
What is GNU Backgammon?
GNU Backgammon (gnubg) backgammon online yahoo is software for playing and up analysing backgammon positions, games and matches. It??Ts based on a neural network. Though it already plays on a very high level, it??Ts still a work in progress. backgammon set up You may play GNU Backgammon using the command line or a graphical interface (based on GTK+).
What operating systems backgammon sets are supported?
Currently, GNU Backgammon is actually designed for backgammon GNU/Linux. It also compiles and (hopefully) runs under *BSD, IRIX, Solaris and True64 Unix. Last but not least there are frequently binaries for MS backgammon cheat Windows and MS DOS. It has also been ported to MacOS. When you up successfully port GNU Backgammon to other play backgammon free operating systems, backgammon set up you are welcome to give us a note at bug-gnubg@gnu.org.
Where do I get online backgammon it?
The official website is http://www.gnubg.org. backgammon set up The source code for GNU Backgammon can be dowloaded as a source tarball. There is also a daily backgammon game rules snapshot of the source code here. You can also get the source code through CVS. MS Windows binaries are available at this page. GNU/Linux RPMs are also available at this page.
What do I have to pay for GNU Backgammon?
GNU Backgammon is Free backgammon masters Software and is a part of the GNU Project. You may download it for free. For up more information see set backgammon classic the GNU General Public License. But be aware that GNU Backgammon is not public domain software or shareware as you perhaps know from MS Windows.
This GNU stuff sounds interesting.
Take play 65 backgammon a backgammon set up look at the GNU home page. It??Ts also the page for Free Software Foundation.
I want to learn backgammon game rules more about backgammon.
A good place to start is Backgammon Galore. For an extensive link collection, go backgammon setup to Gammon Links.
Though I really read all the documentation I still have questions.
Send an backgammon set up email to the gnubg-mailinglist. backgammon masters If it is a bug, be sure to include the name of your operating system, the version of gnubg you use, and backgammon empire any error messages you receive. Try to describe exactly what happens before the error occurs.
I want to make a few proposals. backgammon accessory I have set new ideas.
You??Tre welcome! Send an backgammon email with your suggestions to gnubg-mailinglist.
How to install
Where do I find an installable version for backgammon setup my operating system?
For MS Windows, visit this site. GNU/Linux RPMs are available at this page. backgammon directions For backgammon set up installation on Mac OSX, you should read this page.
Do I need some other software to run GNU Backgammon?
No. Everything you need is included in the binaries.
If you want backgammon table to use the 3D board version on Linux, you might have to install the additional libraries that can be found as well on this page. (acepoints directory)
I backgammon set up want to install a newer version.
If backgammon instructions you are using a MS Windows operating system, make a play 65 copy of either .gnubgrc or .gnubgautorc and .gnubgmenurc. You will find them either in ??~c:??T or the home directory of your backgammon GNU Backgammon (for instance: c:\Program Files\gnubg\). After you have installed the new version, backgammon copy them play yahoo backgammon back.
If you are working with GNU/Linux, these files are probably in your home directory (`~/??T). They won??Tt backgammon set up free backgammon on line be overwritten by installing a new version of GNU Backgammon, but it??Ts always a good idea to have a backup of them.
I would like to compile it from the source code.
Good luck to you! Download the source code and make sure to read one of the following backgammon on line backgammon set up two items: What software do I need for compiling under GNU/Linux?, What software backgammon board setup do I need for compiling under MS Windows?.
What software do I need for compiling under GNU/Linux?
Unpack the GNU Backgammon backgammon set up snapshots and follow the instructions of the file `INSTALL??T.
What software do up I need for compiling under MS Windows?
Nardy backgammon set Pillards has published a fine instruction guide at http://users.skynet.be/bk228456/GNUBgW.htm. Go to this page and yahoo backgammon game follow backgammon the steps shown there.
(Unfortunately this page seems to be gone, for now follow the instructions at http://www.gnubg.org/index.php?itemid=50.)
It does not compile.
Check that you have installed all necessary development packages.
Look for warnings or errors during compiling. If you still backgammon for money don??Tt get a clue, send a message to the gnubg-mailinglist.
On what CPU free backgammon software will GNU Backgammon run fastest?
Here is a list of CPU and Evaluations per second (Analyse??'Evaluation Speed).
Feel free to add your CPU:
Evals/sec
CPU
System/Mainboard
RAM
OS
GNUBG-Version
28000
Intel Core Duo 1.66 GHz
Mac mini Core Duo
512 MB
Win XP SP2
0.14-mingw
27000
Intel Pentium M 735 (1.7 GHz)
AOpen backgammon set up 1557-J
1024 MB
Win XP SP2
0.14-mingw
26000
Celeron 331 2.66 GHz
Dell backgammon site Dimension 3100
512 MB
Win XP SP2
0.14.3-devel
24500
Sempron 2800+ (rev E6@2000 MHz)
Asus K8V-X
768 MB
Win XP SP2
0.14.3-devel
23000
P4 2.8 GHz
Asus P4P800D
1024 MB
Win XP SP2
0.14.3-devel
21759
Athlon64 3000+ backgammon set (32bit mode)
Acer Aspire 1522
512 MB
Kubuntu 5.04
0.14.3-devel
20120
Athlon XP 2500+ (@1833 Mhz)
MSI set K7N-Delta2
1024 MB
Suse Linux 9.2
0.14.3-devel
20200
Pentium M 1.7 GHz
Sony Vaio Z1XSP
512 MB
FreeBSD 5.2
19515
Intel Pentium M 0.8 GHz 1)
Sony Vaio backgammon set up PCG-SRX51P
256 MB
Fedora FC6(T3)
0.14.3-devel
19200
Pentium M 1.6 GHz
IBM X41
1024 download backgammon set game MB
Win XP SP2
0.14.3-devel
16900
P4 2 GHz
?
256 MB
Win 2000
0.14-devel
13000*
AMD 1GHz
Jetway
1536 MB
Win 2000
0.14-devel
10506
Intel Pentium M 0.8 GHz
Sony Vaio PCG-SRX51P
256 MB
Windows XP(SP2)
0.14-mingw
6200
celeron 650 MHz
toshiba laptop
256 MB
Win me
0.14-devel
* Highly variable: 12000 .. 13700
1) According to cat msn backgammon /proc/cpuinfo
Starting gnubg
I get an error message when starting.
Well, your computer wants to communicate with you. Give it a chance and read (and try backgammon set up to understand) what it up is telling you. Then read the next backgammon tournaments items carefully:
GNU Backgammon complains about missing files.
GNU Backgammon reads several different files at startup. It will first try backgammon shoveit.com yahoo to read a file called gnubg.wd. backgammon set up This is a file which contains all the neural net weights and is necessary for the program to backgammon rules and setup evaluate positions. If this file is not found, or found corrupted or with play backgammon online money an incompatible version, GNU Backgammon will search for a weights file called gnubg.weights. This file also contains the neural net weights, but is stored in up set nabisco backgammon ASCII format. If none of these files are found, GNU Backgammon will start, but it will give you a warning about these missing backgammon game backgammon set up files, and it will play very poorly.
GNU Backgammon will also read the bearoff databases at startup. There are usually two bearoff partygammon databases. The first is called gnubg_os0.bd, and has stored data backgammon set up about the bearoff probabilities of all position where both players have 15 or fewer chequers left on their six home board points. If this file is not found, GNU Backgammon will create a heuristic bearoff pogo backgammon database for these positions. This database is a also called the ??~One Sided Database??T, since it evaluates each player up separately. The other bearoff database is called gnubg_ts0.bd. This bearoff database contains win up backgammon probabilities for all bearoff positions with six or less chequers. It also contains cubeful equities (Money Game) for all the positions. If this file is not found backgammon set up download backgammon game at startup, GNU Backgammon will evaluate late bearoff positions with the one sided bearoff database.
Starting from the WinXP menu it plays like a beginner.
Open the MS Windows menu and go to the entry for gnubg. Right-click with the mouse play65 and choose `properties??T. Check, if backgammon set up the `working path??T is the same directory as the `*.exe??T-file one line above. If not, adjust the working path.
My screen mixes up while starting backgammon game table GNU Backgammon.
Install the newest driver for your graphic card. Be sure that you have chosen at backgammon set up least a desktop resolution online backgammon game of 65535 (16 bit colour depth). If your card is a ATI Rage ??�somewhat??� there still might be some problems with up the graphical interface (GTK+)and MS Windows.
I backgammon classic only get a command-line interface. Where is the nice up board?
Using MS cheat for backgammon on backgammon set up pogo Windows, just click on the correct menu entry (`GNU Backgammon for windows??T). If it still doesn??Tt work, check whether `c:\[path-to-your-gnubg]\gnubg.exe??T exists or not.
GNU/Linux users should check if GTK+ is installed.
When I restart GNU Backgammon all my settings are gone.
Did you save your settings (menu: Settings??'Save settings) before you quit?
I do not need free backgammon game download this graphical stuff. partygammon Where is the terminal for commands?
For GNU/Linux users: open a terminal and start gnubg with the option -t.
MS Windows users: Look for a file called gnubg-no-gui.exe in GNU Backgammons install directory or open the MS Windows menu Run??� and type c:\[path-to-your-gnubg]\gnubg-no-gui.exe. There is also a menu entry GNU Backgammon backgammon board Command Line backgammon backgammon set up download backgammon game Interface.
Playing backgammon
What is the difference of a new game or match or session?
When you start a new match, you will be backgammon asked to play to a certain amount of points (for example, 7 points). The player who firstly reaches this amount wins the match.
Starting a new session means playing to an infinite amount. Be aware that the rules do slightly backgammon site differ then. You may break this session at any point and save it.
If you choose to playing backgammon play a new game, GNU Backgammon will backgammon set up open the last saved match or session you quit. When there is no saved match or session you will start a new infinite session.
What the backgammon set up heck is a beaver in Backgammon?
A beaver is only allowed in a money game session. To beaver nabisco backgammon means to redouble, retaining control of the cube, immediately after your opponent doubles. For more information see the glossary chouette at Backgammon Galore.
How do set I move the chequers?
The up easiest way to move chequers is to ??�drag and drop.??� Put your mouse zone.com backgammon pointer over a chequer you want to move, press the left mouse button and drag the chequer to the desired point, holding down the button backgammon for money while dragging.
If you prefer to use mouse clicks, the left mouse button is for the left die shown on your board. Right click your backgammon software mouse for the right die.
If you always want the backgammon set up higher number displayed on the left, go to the menu Settings??'Appearance??'General and select Show higher die on left.
Why am I allowed to place more than set 5 chequers on a point?
The gammon empire backgammon official backgammon tournament rules allow to put all 15 chequers on a set point. If you want to play with a maximum of 5 chequers, go to the menu Settings and activate the backgammon news Egyptian Rule. Note: The Egyptian Rule is play backgammon backgammon set up for money not in the standard rules of backgammon. The position evaluator in GNU Backgammon doesn??Tt have a clue about how to evaluate positions according to the Egyptian rule either. It strongly recommended that this rule is not used if you??Tre trying to learn backgammon.
GNU Backgammon plays poorly.
Are you sure? If the backgammon rules answer is yes backgammon download you should think about going to Monte Carlo this summer and win the Backgammon World Championship.
If this plan fails, check whether the weights file is backgammon loaded at startup. backgammon set up See also GNU Backgammon complains about missing files.
GNU Backgammon is too strong for me.
Go to the menu Settings??'Players and change the values for Player 0. There is backgammon kurnik also a set of backgammon backgammon directions predefined settings you may choose from.
I think the bot is cheating. It always gets good dice.
In its default configuration, the backgammon set up dice generator does not cheat. In the menu Settings you may choose between different random dice generators. If you still think GNU free backgammon game Backgammon is cheating, program your own dice generator or roll manually. It backgammon set up backgammon download doesn??Tt cheat!
Settings
Where can I change the name of the human player?
Go to the menu Settings??'Players ??� and click on Player 1. At the set top there is a field to change the human player??Ts name.
How do I change the colours?
Go to the menu `Settings??'Appearance??T. Here you may change the colour of chequers, the internet backgammon points and the board itself.
How do I stop the annoying beeps?"
Go to the menu `Settings??'Appearance??T and click on the `General??T tab at the set right. Disable the option `Beep on illegal input??T.
What are "Plies?"
A ply motif backgammon describes how far GNU backgammon set up Backgammon evaluates the position. ??�0-ply??� means that GNU Backgammon estimates the worth of backgammon set up the position as it is. A ??�1-ply??� evaluation backgammon looks one step doubling cube deeper. GNU Backgammon also evaluates positions that may occur on further rolls. ??�2-ply??� is another roll further and so on.
The more plies you choose, the more you strengthen internet backgammon game GNU Backgammon. Keep in mind that this will also decrease the playing speed.
Note also that ??�0-ply??� in GNU Backgammon is equivalent to play up 65 backgammon the ??�1-ply??� evaluation of Snowie.
It??Ts possible that Snowie??Ts is a playing ply while GnuBg??Ts backgammon set up is a position evaluation ply. When playing at 1-ply Snowie will make each possible move for the player??Ts roll chouette (that??Ts 1 ply) and analyse the resulting positions. Playing at 2-ply it will take each backgammon for real money of backgammon set up those positions and make all the opponent moves for all possible rolls (the 2nd ply) and then analyse the resulting positions. In GnuBg the initial set of possible moves is online backgammon game taken for granted, ie. not counted as a ply, because GnuBg??Ts plies are position evaluation plies. Thus, for each of those possible moves a 0-ply analysis is done. GnuBg??Ts discounting of the first set of moves party gammon perhaps makes the counting seem funny.
Looking at it a different way, if you give GnuBg backgammon board setup a position and analyse it at 1-ply, it will make all the moves for all possible rolls (the 1st ply) and then analyse the resulting positions. With Snowie it will doubling cube assume that the position arose from a move (that??Ts a pretend 1st ply) then make all the moves for free backgammon on line all possible rolls (the 2nd ply) and analyse them. This time it??Ts Snowie that seems to be counting strangely.
What is "noise?"
Noise is a facility for disturbing GNU Backgammon??Ts 0-ply evaluation. Raising the noise level decreases its playing strength.
What is "reduced evaluation?"
Reduced msn backgammon searches only work with 2-ply evaluations and deeper. It cuts the search for candidate moves to increase evaluation speed.
Analysing
What are these funny letters at the backgammon cheat right bottom?
You will find two small windows titled `Position??T and `Match ID??T at the bottom of the GNU Backgammon window. Here you may use the `position_id??T- or `match_id??T-format for setting up or copying positions.
An explanation of both formats will backgammon directions follow in GNU Backgammon??Ts documentation (hopefully soon).
How do I set up play backgammon online free a position manually?
Open a new game, match or session. If gnubg already rolls the dice, don??Tt bother. Press `edit??T, and either type the position_id and press Enter on your keyboard, or use the mouse to set up the chequers.
A mouse click at the border online backgammon of the board empties the point. A left or right click sets up backgammon board set up a certain amount of chequers depending on where exactly on the pip you click. Set up the cube with a right mouse click on it.
You can also drag and drop chequers when holding down the Ctrl key.
Finally, go to the menu and select `Game, Set turn??T to choose the player on roll. backgammon table The dice will then disappear.
Which formats must I use to import positions?
Currently only `*.pos??T by Jellyfish are supported.
Which formats must I use to import matches?
You may import .mat by Jellyfish or .ssg free backgammon by Gamesgrid. There is also support for .tmg backgammon tips files from TrueMoneyGames. Also supported is the oldmove format used on Fibs.
How can I switch the players sides?
Go to the menu `Game??T and click on `Swap players??T.
What do "!" and "?" mean?
After analysing a backgammon news game or a match GNU Backgammon is able to do some comments on chequer play or cube online backgammon decisions. Open the menu `Window, Game record??T and you will see a list of the moves. If the actual move or cube decision differs from the best, GNU Backgammon will put a comment on it.
The default settings are:
+0.040 msn backgammon (very good): Not in use yet
+0.020 (good): Not in use yet
-0.040 (doubtful): ?!
-0.080 (bad): ?
-0.160 (very bad): ??
You may change these comment in online backgammon gambling the menu `Window, Annotation??T choosing another comment for moves and/or double.
[Note. Why a ? move should be deemed worse than a ?! move - that??Ts one of life??Ts little mysteries.]
How is the error rate determined?
GNU Backgammon determines a player??Ts strength according to her average gammonempire error (per move):
Average Error
Skill Level
0.000 .. 0.005
Extra-terrestrial
0.005 .. 0.010
World doubling cube class
0.010 .. 0.015
Expert
0.015 .. 0.020
Advanced
0.020 .. 0.025
Intermediate
0.025 .. 0.030
Beginner
0.030 ..
Novice
After analysing a game, match or session you can see the summary in the menu `Analyse, ??� statistics??T. Note that you can??Tt change the ranges of these values.
What does "Pips" mean?
The pip count is a online backgammon gambling measurement showing the total number of pips required for a player to bear off all chequers from the play 65 backgammon current position. It can be regarded as a rough estimate of the ??�raceness??� of the position ??" a player with a lower pip count may in many situations want to try to race, whilst the opponent (with the higher pip count) may want to try blocking/holding. See also the explanation on BackGammon Galore.
(For the non-native-english speaking community it might be helpful to know that when you roll a six and a five, the total pips of that roll is eleven.)
What does "epc" mean?
When bearing off chequers, you may notice a display showing the current epc value (next to the display of Pips). The epc display can be turned on or off under menu Settings ??" Options ??" Display (at least in the current version, as of June 2005).
epc stands for Effective Pip Count, and is an alternative measurement of the ??�goodness??� of the position. The usual pip count can be a misleading ??�goodness??� estimate when both players are bearing off. What is more important (for making cubing decisions) is the expected number of rolls each player needs to bear off her chequers.
The effective pipcount is defined as this excpected number of remaining rolls, muliplied with the average number of pips in a roll, which is 8.167. (The average number of pips in a roll would be 7 if rolling a double wouldn??Tt yield a double pip count ??" i.e a double-6 yields 24 pips, not 12.)
Thus, epc takes into account not only the current pip count, but also the expected pip wastage:
effective pip count (epc) = pip count + expected pip wastage
An example:
Position: 5 chequers on the 1-point, 4 chequers on the 2-point.
Pip count: 5?-1 + 4?-2 = 13
epc: 2.189 (expected number of remaining rolls) * 8.167 = 17.878
Wasted: 17.878 - 13 = 4.878
It??Ts clear (hopefully) that the expected pip wastage (and hence the epc) increases with more chequers on lower points (e.g. you get pip wastage when rolling a 6 to bear off a chequer from the 2- or 1-point).
It is further explained on BackGammon Galore, especially in a post by Douglas Zare.
How do one calculate the epc then, or the expected number of remaining rolls? Gnu BG uses a prepared database (is this correct?). A player would probably use some quite complicated heuristics (please see the aforementioned post by Douglas Zare, and do get back here and explain it!)
Databases
What is the `Database' menu for?
Go find a newer build if you still have the database.
Abbreviations
"GWC"?
??�GWC??� is an abbreviation for game winning chances.
"MWC"?
??�MWC??� is an abbreviation for match winning chances.
"DP"?
In the menu `Analyse, Game/Match/Session statistics??T you will see a window with some statistics. Near the bottom, you??Tll see four lines beginning with `Missed ??� and Wrong ??�??T. ??�dp??� means ??�doubling point??� and describes a situation in the game, where you probably should have doubled your opponent.
"CP"?
Could someone expain this one please? [In the context of ??�Missed doubles (below CP)??� and ??�Missed doubles (above CP)??�].
CP = Cash-Point
From Max Friis page http://xfriis.dk/maxfriis/bg/double.html CP is:
??�your opponent??Ts take-point now seen from your side of the board (your cash-point which equals 100% minus your opponent??Ts take-point??�
If you are the leader in the match, the relevant take- and double-points will often look something like this (where TP*=CP):
The doubling windows (intervals) are:
[DP;CP] = Your doubling window! This window does not contain any information about redoubles but only the distance to the point where you do not want to play for the double amount of points.
[TP;DP] = 100% minus your opponent??Ts doubling window now.
[reTP;reDP] = 100% minus your opponent??Ts doubling window after he has taken.
"TG"?
??�TG??� is an abbreviation for ??�too good??� (to double). It points to a situation in the game, where you probably should have kept the cube (mostly because of decent, sometimes very good, gammon chances) rather than doubling out your opponent.
"epc"?
See What does "epc" mean?
This should be an internal link, not an external one. But I can??Tt figure out how to link internally to a subsection. Anyone?
gnu_backgammon_faq.txt · Last modified: 2006/10/06 11:31
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