Backgammon Dictionary

To advance a runner to safety or past the opponent's blockade.

Make a point.

[Also spelled "Eureika".]  Simplified backgammon, in which each player starts with two checkers on his one, two, and three-point, and three checkers on his four, five, and six-point. See How to Play Eureika.

A blot within range of a direct hit.

See: Mandatory Extras.

A neural-net backgammon program introduced in 2009.   Website: eXtreme Gammon.

To fail to reenter after being hit; to dance.

Speed board.

The player judged most likely to win a game or match.  Compare: Underdog.

[Also spelled "feuga".]  A Greek game similar to Moultezim in which players start at diagonally opposite corners of the board and move in the same direction. There is no hitting and one checker by itself controls a point.  See: How to Play Fevga.

First Internet Backgammon Server, an electronic forum for playing backgammon with others from around the world.  Website: FIBS.

A number associated with each player based on that player's record of performance against other rated players. Every player starts with a rating of 1500. Your rating goes up when you win and down when you lose. The size of the change depends on whether the favorite wins (less change) or underdog wins (greater change).  See: FIBS Rating Formula.

The ratings system used on FIBS. Most other backgammon servers use similar systems. See this article by Kevin Bastian for a description of the formula.

When you have an opportunity to hit two checkers that are two spaces apart and roll a number than lands between them.

The name of the second-chance bracket used in the double elimination format tournament played at the Nordic Open. A player losing in the main bracket continues to play in the progressive fighter's bracket before being eliminated from the tournament. The final eight players (four from main bracket and four from fighters bracket) qualify for the final rounds.

One of the two players competing in the finals of an elimination tournament.

The last match that determines the overall winner of an elimination tournament.

A chess clock with a feature that adds a given amount to a player's time after each move. A Fischer clock is better for backgammon than using a standard analog clock, but not as good as a digital clock with a time delay feature.

Derogatory term for a poor player willing to play for high stakes.

The fifth point (1) in a player's home board, counting from the edge of the board toward the bar. A very strong point to acquire early in a game.