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The nick of seven is 7 to 2, often laid 10 to 3.
The nick of six and eight is 5 to 1.

Against the Caster.

It is necessary to be perfectly master of these odds, in order o play the prudent game, and to make use of them by way of insuring bets in what is called hedging, in case the chance happens to be unlikely; for by taking the odds a ready calculator secures himself, and often stands part of his bet to a certainty. For example, if seven is the main, and four the chance, and he has five pounds depending on the main, by taking six pounds to three, he must either win two pounds or one pound; and on the contrary, if he does not like his chance, by laying the odds against himself he must save in proportion to the bet he has made.

SOME ADDITIONAL CALCULATIONS ON HAZARD.

If 8 and 6 are main and chance, it is very near 11 to 12, that either one or the other is thrown off in two throws.

And if 5 and 7, or 9 and 7 are main and chance, the probability that they will be thrown in two throws is near 11 to

12.

If 5 and 8, or 9 and 8, or 5 and 6, or 9 and 6 are main and chance; the probability of throwing one of them in two throws is as 7 to 9 exactly.

And if 7 and 4, or 7 and 10 are main and chance, the pro

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bability that they will be thrown in two throws is also as 7 to 9. If 7 and 8, or 7 and 6 are main and chance, one may lay 15 to 14 that one of them is thrown in two throws.

But if 5 and 4, or 5 and 10, or 9 and 4, or 9 and 10 are main and chance, he that undertakes to throw either main or chance in three throws has the worst of the lay; for it is as 21 to 23 exceeding near.

If the main be 7, and each person stakes a guinea, the gain of the Setter is about 34d. per guinea.

If the main be 6 or 8, the gain of the Setter is about sixpence in a guinea.

But if the main be 5 or 9, the gain of the Setter is about 3 d. in a guinea.

However if any person is determined to set up on the first main that is thrown, his chance, supposing each stake to be a guinea, is 4 d. exactly.

Hence the probability of a main, to the probability of no main, is as 27 to 28 very near.

If any one should undertake to throw a six or an ace with two dice in one throw, he ought to lay 5 to 4.

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This is a mixed game, being a combination of chance and calculation. Its derivation is a vexed question, both as to whence it came and how it acquired its present designation. "La Maison des Jeux Académiques" abandons its origin as a desperate problem, and Dr. Henry claims its name as a Welsh compound, from "bach," little, and "cammon, " battle. On the other hand, Bp. Kennett and Strutt derive it from the Anglo-Saxon, viz., from "bac," back, and "gamone." a game, that is to say, a game where players are exposed to be sent back. Perhaps this may satisfy the antiquarian and be accepted as a sufficient offering to the etymologist. It would have been a mere recreation in chronology, to have disputed all the probabilities for assigning Backgammon to the

antediluvian age. One portion of its machinery consists of dice now dice defy chronology. Their types are found in Etruscan tombs and in the hieroglyphics of Egypt; and the historian of Charonea asserts, that Mercury had a throw of the dice once upon a time with the Goddess Luna.

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From Chaucer we gather that the early name of Backgammon, or at all events its synonyme was Tables;" at which period it was played with three dice, and all the "men" commenced their action from the adversary's table. Backgammon has always been a particularly respectable instrument of amusement, like the Organ in "She Stoops to conquer." Even Whist has not escaped defilement, but Backgammon was never a vulgar game, never beloved of lackeys." Shakspere has used it as a medium for his philosophy, and Bacon has served bail for its good behaviour.

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To

Backgammon is played by two persons, with two boxes and two dice, upon a quadrangular table or board, on which are figured 24 points or flèches, of two colours, placed alternately. The board is divided into four compartments, two inner and two outer ones, each containing six of the 24 points (alternate colours). The players are each furnished with fifteen men or counters, black and white (usually draughts). These are arranged upon the board, in the following manner. play into the left hand table, two of your men are placed upon the ace point of your opponent's inner table, five upon the sixth point in his outer table (numbered 12 in our diagram), three upon the cinque-point in your own outer table numbered 8), and five upon the sixth point, in your own inner table. The adversary's men are to be placed in corresponding order, in a position directly opposite. All this is shown in the diagram annexed, and to facilitate reference the points or flèches are numbered from 1 to 12 of each colour.

The game consists in moving your men from point to point, so as to bring them round into your own inner table (i. e., that on your left hand), and then moving or bearing them off the board. The player who first clears off his men wins.

The moves of the men are determined by the throws of the dice, according to the directions for playing, at page 389. It will there be seen that the most advantageous throw at the outset is that of aces, as it blocks the bar or sixth point in your outer table (numbered 7), and secures the cinque-point in

your inner table, so that your adversary's two meri cannot move if he throw either quatre, cinque, or size. This throw is frequently conceded to inferior players, at the commencement of the game, by way of odds.

As the grand object of the game consists in bringing round your men into your own inner table, all throws that contribute towards that end, and prevent your adversary from doing the same are advantageous, and vice versa. During the progress of the game you should endeavour to block up or detain a part of your adversary's men, in your own tables; and to obstruct his re-entering such of them as you may happen to have taken up, unless all your own men have passed his main body, and are so far advanced to your inner table (which we will here call home) as to possess the best chance, should he seek to win by running away.

At the commencement of the game the players must agree towards which end of the board they will play. Each party plays into one of the tables on his own side; thus, if Black plays into his left-hand table, White plays into his right (i. e., that which is exactly opposite), and vice versa, their men advancing in contra-position to each other, as in the annexed diagram.

For right of first play each party throws a single die; he who throws the highest number wins, and may, if he chooses, adopt and play the joint number of the preliminary throw. If he reject, then the first step is made by his throwing both the dice, and moving any one of his men to an open point at the distance indicated by one of the dice, and then moving another man (or the same man farther on, if he think proper), to another open point indicated by the number of the second die. This completes his move, his adversary then follows in a similar manner, and so on alternately to the end of the game. Thus, double aces (which count as 4) would entitle you (say White) to move two men from 8 w. to 7 w., and two from 6 w. to 5 w., which covers the bar point (No. 7), and also covers the cinque point in your inner table, and then, should your next throw be 5 and 6, you would play the five from 12 b. to 8 w., and so cover the blot before left; and you would play the six from 12 b. to your bar point. Pairs count double; thus, sixes entitle you to move four men, each six points forward, and you may either move four together,

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