THIS game is played by two persons, with a box and dice, upon a table divided into two parts, upon which there are 12 black and 12 white points. Each adversary has fifteen men, black and white to distinguish them, which are disposed of thus: Supposing you play into the right-hand table, two upon the ace-point in your adversary's table, five upon the six-point in the opposite table, three upon the cinque-point in the hithermost table, and five on the six-point in your own table: the grand object is to bring the men round into your own table; all throws that contribute towards it, and prevent your adversary doing the like, are advantageous, and vice versa. The first best throw upon the dice is esteemed aces, as it stops the sixpoint in the outer table, and secures the cinque in your own, whereby your adversary's two men upon your ace-point cannot get out with either quatre, cinque, or six. Wherefore this throw is an advantage frequently asked and given between players that are not equally skilful. MR. HOYLE's TREATISE OF BACK-GAMMON. Ir is necessary for a learner to know how many points he ought to throw upon the two dice, one throw with another, which the following method demonstrates. There are thirty-six chances upon two dice. 2 Aces *.. 4/5 and 4 twice. 18 16 6 and 5 twice. ...10 ..... 8 6 294 divided by 36, shews that one throw with another you may expect 8 upon two dice. The chances upon 2 dice are as follow: 2 Sixes 2 Fives *6 36 To find out by this table what are the odds of being hit upon a certain, or flat die, look in the table where thus * marked. 1 ........ 2 Aces * 3 6 and 1 twice 1 twice. 1 .... 222 Total 11 Which deducted from 36 The Remainder is 25 By this it appears, that it is 25 to 11 against hitting an ace, upon a certain, or flat die. The like method may be taken with any other flat die, as with the ace. What are the odds of entering a man upon 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 points? 35 1 or about 5 3 8 1 35.. 1 What are the odds of hitting, with any chance, in the reach of a single die? Answer. Reduced. for. against. upon 1 is 11 to 25 What are the odds of hitting with double dite! Answer. To hit for. against. Reduced. for. against. 6 to 30 1 to 5 5 6 11 1 17 1 35 9 10 11 31 12 (or 2 sixes) 1 35. To explain farther how to use the table of 36 chances, to find the odds of being hit upon any certain or flat die, this second example shows how to discover by that the odds of being hit upon a 6. Which deducted from 36 - Remainder is-19 That is 19 to 17 against being hit upon a 6. and of.. and of. ..2 to 1.. ...... .is 2 1. 2. 1. IF you play three up, your principal object in the first place, is, either to secure your own or your adversary's cinque point; when that is effected you may play a pushing game, and endeavour to gammon the adversary. 2. The next best point (after you have gained your cinque-point) is to make your bar-point, thereby preventing your adversary running with 2 sixes. 3. After you have proceeded thus far, prefer making the quatre-point in your own tables, rather than the quatre-point out of them. 4. Having gained these points, you have a fair chance to gammon the adversary, if he is very forward: For, suppose his tables are broke at home, it will be then your interest to open your tables bar-point to oblige him to come out of your with a six; and having your men spread, you not only may catch that man which your adversary brings out of your tables, but will also have a probability of taking up the man left in your tables (upon supposition that he had two men there.) And if he should have a blot at home, it will then be your interest not to make up your tables; because, if he should enter upon a blot, |