Backgammon Dictionary

The method of representing the moves of a game. See post by Dean Gay.

The tournament division for the weakest players, particularly those who do not desire the stronger competition and higher entrance fees of the other divisions.   Compare: Intermediate Division and Open Division.

A player who is new to backgammon.  Compare: Intermediate and Advanced level.

A play which cannot be profitable for any possible sequence of future rolls.

The ratio of the probability of an event happening to that of its not happening, or vice versa. Usually the higher number is given first. For example, the odds of rolling double 6's are "35 to 1 against".

Said of checkers which have been borne off.

A model for estimating winning chances in a pure race based on the players' pip counts. In this model, all of a player's pips are represented by just one checker on a infinitely-long backgammon board. The one-checker model overestimates winning chances in positions where one side has more wastage than the other. See post by: Hugh Sconyers.

The deepest point (1) in a player's home board, the point farthest from the bar and closest to being borne off; also called the ace-point.

A backgammon variant where the goal is to be the first player to bear off all of your checkers. There is no doubling cube and no bonus for gammons or backgammons (2). Since you never lose more than one point (4), back games are more of an option in this variant than in regular backgammon. See posts by Lou Poppler and Bernhard Kaiser.

A bearoff database where the arrangement of checkers on only one player's side is considered. The values in the database are calculated assuming the goal at each turn is to minimize the average number of rolls required to bear off.  Compare: Two-Sided Bearoff Database.

This refers to playing backgammon over the Internet. Online backgammon allows players all over the world to compete against one another. You can play for rating points or for real money.  See: Backgammon Server.

The player whose turn it is. You are on roll as soon as your opponent picks up his dice to end his turn, and before you throw the dice to begin your own turn. For example, the only time you may double is when you are on roll.

Where a checker is placed after it is hit. When you have a checker on the bar, you may not move any of your other checkers until that checker has been entered back onto the board.

Steaming.

The main division of a tournament; the division that any player may enter. Also called the championship division, it generally has the highest entry fee, the largest prizes, and attracts the strongest players.  Compare: Novice Division and Intermediate Division.

The first phase of a backgammon game where the players have yet to establish their initial game plans.   Compare: Middle Game and End Game.

The first roll of the game in which both players simultaneously roll one die. This roll determines both the player to go first and the numbers that player must play.

A position on the board not occupied by two or more of the opponent's checkers.

A tournament open to any player regardless of strength or experience.  See: Open Division.

California rule.