Backgammon Dictionary

A play that conforms to the roll of the dice as defined by the rules of backgammon.

An feature that contributes to the weakness of a position, such as too many blots, buried checkers, or inflexibility.  Compare: Asset.

A rule of thumb that says: in a well-timed ace-point game, the defending player has about a 17% chance of winning the game. See post by: Oslash;ystein Johansen.

To move a checker that is alone on a point to the safety of an already made point.

A dice cup that has a ridge around the inside open end, designed to trip up the dice as they exit the cup and make it more difficult for a dice mechanic to control the roll.

Cubeful rollout.

Dice weighted or shaped so that the distribution of rolled numbers is not even.

Make a point.

LongGammon.

A backgammon variant in which each player starts with fifteen checkers on the opponent's one-point.  See: How to Play LongGammon.

Blot.

A hit which leaves a blot in the player's home board where it is exposed to a direct return shot.

A play that leaves one or more blots in a dangerous position.

To go from a position in which your opponent would accept your double to a position in which your opponent would refuse your double.  See: Market Loser.

[Sometimes spelled "lovers' leap".]  An opening roll of 6-5 played from the opponent's one-point to the player's mid-point.

Equity gained or lost through the rolls of the dice during the course of a game or match. The luck associated with a roll is the difference in equity of the position before the roll and the (properly played) position after the roll. See posts by Gregg Cattanach and Adam Stocks.

Variance reduction (2).

[Listed by Paul Magriel in his book Backgammon.]  Six criteria for determining whether a situation requires a safe play or a bold play. They are: (a) opponent's home board strength; (b) presence of an anchor in opponent's home board; (c) your home board strength; (d) blots in opponent's home board; (e) number of checkers you have back; and (f) number of checkers opponent has back. Criteria (a) and (f) call for making a safe play; the others point towards making a bold play.

Main flight.

In an elimination tournament, the group in which players start and compete in until they lose, and which offers the largest prize.  Compare: Consolation Flight.