Backgammon Dictionary

The defensive point (2) you control when playing a holding game, usually the opponent's four-point, five-point, or bar-point.

[Named after Tim Holland, who proposed the rule.]  An optional rule in match play that was popular in the 1980's but is now rarely used. After the Crawford game a player may not double until at least two rolls have been played by each side. See post by Kit Woolsey.

Home board.

The quadrant containing your one-point through six-point. It is the last quadrant your checkers move to before they are borne off. It is also the quadrant your opponent must use to enter any of his checkers sitting on the bar. Your home board is also called your inner board or inner table.

The number of plies played in each trial of a truncated rollout. A rollout that is truncated after 10 plies has a 10-ply horizon.

A player who, by charm or other means, persuades another player to take part in game where the other player is at a disadvantage.

A backgammon variant where each player has just three checkers.  See: How to Play Hyper-Backgammon.

A move that does not conform to the roll of the dice as defined by the rules of backgammon. An illegal move must be corrected if requested by the opponent before the opponent rolls the dice to begin his own turn.  See: Illegal Moves Rule.

The standard rule in backgammon which says: If a player makes an illegal play, the opponent has the option of allowing the error to stand or requesting that it be corrected. He must make this request before rolling the dice to begin his own turn. Once a correction is requested, the illegal mover is free to make any legal play he chooses.  Compare: Legal Moves Rule.

A play that does not conform to the roll of the dice as defined by the rules of backgammon. An illegal play must be corrected if requested by the opponent before the opponent rolls the dice to begin his own turn.  See: Illegal Moves Rule.

A position which cannot be reached through any sequence of legally played rolls. For example, both players closed out with checkers on the bar is an illegal position. Illegal positions are not allowed under the rules, and any misplay that creates an illegal position must be corrected.

A checker that is presently part of a prime or a block but which has the prospect of being used later to make another point.

A hit that uses the numbers on both dice taken together.   Compare: Direct Hit.

An opportunity to hit an opposing blot using the numbers on both dice taken together; a combination shot.   Compare: Direct Shot.

A double offered while the cube is still in the center, as opposed to a redouble where the player making the double has possession of the cube.

The amount initially wagered in a game of backgammon (1). At the end of the game, this amount is multiplied by the final value of the doubling cube, and further multiplied by 2 if the win is a gammon or 3 if the win is a backgammon (2).

A term used to describe a situation where one player has relative freedom to build his position or attack the opponent as he chooses, while the other player is reduced to making forced plays and trying to stave off disaster. The first player is said to have the initiative.

Home board.

Home board.

On the bar.