Backgammon Dictionary

A guideline for cube handling in pure race positions. If you add 10% to your pip count, you should double if the result is not more than two pips greater than the opponent's count, and you should redouble if the result is not more than one pip greater. Your opponent should accept the double if your count plus 10% is no more than two pips less than his count.

A guideline for cube handling in pure race positions. You should double if the opponent's pip count exceeds yours by 8% or more, and redouble if it exceeds yours by 9% or more. Your opponent should accept the double if his pip count exceeds yours by no more than 12%.

American Backgammon Tour, an annual master-point competition of participants in major U.S. tournaments.  Website: ABT.

To agree to continue playing a game at twice the previous stakes after the opponent offers a double.  Compare: Refuse a Double.

A rolled die showing the number 1.

Traditional name for the one-point.

A position in the late stages of a game in which a player is anchored on the opponent's one-point trying to hit a shot as the opponent brings his checkers home and bears them off.

The roll of 1 and 2 with two dice.

A backgammon variant in which the roll of 1 and 2 gives the player extra turns.  See: How to Play Acey-Deucey.

In a chouette, the crew member who plays for the team against the box after the original captain has declined box's double and is no longer in the game.

A play designed to provoke an exchange of hits, typically used after the opponent has escaped his runners.

A position in which one player doubles based upon his immediate blot-hitting chances.

A checker which is completely free to make another point.

An anchor on the opponent's five-point, four-point, or sometimes three-point. (The opponent's bar-point is also sometimes called an advanced anchor, though purists insist that only points in the opponent's home board should be called "anchors.")  See: Holding Point.

A player of considerable experience and skill who has moved beyond intermediate level.

Having a lower pip count than your opponent; see count (2).

Having a lower pip count than your opponent.

An unexpectedly poor roll, especially one that fails to hit or fails to make a point.

Checkers in position to carry out an attack, in particular, checkers in the zone.

A traditional chess clock with hands that show the time remaining for each player. It has a flag that falls to indicate when a player's time has expired. Analog clocks generally do not have a time delay feature, making them less suitable than digital clocks for use in backgammon.

A point (1) occupied by two or more of your checkers in the opponent's home board.