Backgammon Dictionary

A recorded match with added analysis and commentary.  Example: The annotated match between Kit Woolsey and Jeremy Bagai.

Analysis and commentary about a backgammon game written after the game is played.

A very bad roll; the opposite of a joker.

The formation of a player's checkers as they work together to block and attack the opponent, then and come home safely.

A move from the opponent's outer board to the player's outer board.

A feature that contributes to the strength of a position, such as made points and flexibility.  Compare: Liability.

Blitz (1).

See: Zone of attack.

An optional rule in money play: If both players throw the same number on the first roll of a game, the stakes are doubled. The doubling cube is turned to 2 and stays in the middle. Players usually agree to limit the number of automatic doubles to one per game.

Automatic doubles.

A dice roll which forces a player to leave a shot or break a valuable point (2).

[Also spelled "backgame".]  A strategy employed by a player who is substantially behind in the race but has two or more anchors in the opponent's home board. The back game player tries to hold both anchors as long as possible and force his opponent to bear in or bear off awkwardly. The idea is to hit a late shot and then contain the hit checker behind a prime.

Compare:

• Holding Game.

A game played with dice and checkers on a board consisting of twenty-four points (1), in which each player tries to move his checkers home and bear them off while preventing the opponent from doing the same thing.   See: the Rules of Backgammon.

A completed game of backgammon (1) in which the losing player has not borne off any checkers and still has one or more checkers on the bar or in the winner's home board. A backgammon is also called a triple game because the winner receives three times the value of the doubling cube.  Compare: Single Game and Gammon.

Backgammon (1) is played on a board consisting of twenty-four narrow triangles called points (1). The triangles alternate in color and are grouped into four quadrants of six triangles each. The quadrants are referred to as a player's home board and outer board and the opponent's home board and outer board. The home and outer boards are separated from each other by a ridge down the center of the board called the bar.

A computer on the Internet which hosts games of backgammon (1). Competitors play in real time with opponents from around the world. The server rolls the dice, communicates the plays to each player, keeps score, and maintains ratings for all players. Some servers even let you play for money. You typically interact with a server using client software downloaded to your computer.

Runner; a player's rearmost checker.

A device through which dice are dropped to randomize a roll. The dice are deflected and jostled about as they fall through the box.

An early type of plastic, used in the 1920's and 1930's for the creation of backgammon playing pieces. Many people prefer the look and feel of bakelite to newer materials. See post by Albert Steg.

[Because you must be "bananas" to try it. Attributed to Kent Goulding."]  To hit loose by breaking a point in your home board, thereby leaving two blots.

The amount of money you have available for betting, or the maximum amount you are willing to lose in a session.  See: Money Management.