Backgammon Glossary
A comprehensive guide to the terminology of this classic game.
- A -
Accept a Double
Agree to continue playing a game at twice the previous stakes. (see Take, Double)
Ace Point
The first point in a player's home board, the one point.
Ace Point Game
A position in a game in which a player has a man/men trapped on the opponent's ace point and is waiting for a hit.
Acey-Deucey
A variation of backgammon in which the roll of 2 and 1 gives the player extra turns, popularised in the U.S. Navy. Also a roll of 21.
Action Play
A specific type of play designed to provoke an exchange of hits, mainly used after an opponent has escaped his runners.
Active Builder
A completely free man that is able to make another point without being hit.
Advanced Anchor
An anchor on the opponent's four or five point.
Anchor
A point held by two or more of a player's men in an opponent's home board.
Around the Corner
A move from the opponent's outer board to the player's outer board.
Attacking Game
An attack on blots in a player's home board aimed at closing out an opponent. (see also Blitz)
Automatic Doubles
If both players roll the same number on the first roll of a game the cube stakes are to be doubled. This is an optional rule and is usually restricted to money games.
Awkward Number
A dice roll which causes the player's position to deteriorate.
- B -
Back Game
A position in which a player occupies two or more points in an opponent's home board. He then hopes to hit blots left by an opponent as they bring men home and begins to bear them off. A successful backgammon depends heavily on timing. (see Timing)
Back Man
(see Runner)
Backgammon
There are two meanings for backgammon:
a) The game of backgammon.
b) A completed game of backgammon in which the losing player fails to bear off any men and still has one or more men on the bar or in the winner's home board. A backgammon is worth triple points.
Backgammon Server
A computer based 'board' where backgammon players compete on a computer network set up by the server. Records, rankings and communications between players are also part of the services provided.
Bar
The raised section (often the hinge) down the centre of a backgammon board dividing the home board from the outer board. Men are placed here after being hit. Men on the bar must re-enter before any other men can be moved.
Bar Point
The seven point, adjacent to the bar.
Battle of Primes
A type of position in which both players have trapped an opponent's men behind a prime.
Bear In
To bring a man into your home board prior to bearing off.
Bear Off
The finals stage of the game in which a player, having moved all his men into their home board, moves them off the board according to the dice roll.
Beavers
In money play, an optional rule agreed by both players prior to commencement of the game in which when a player is doubled, he may immediately re-double (beaver) and still retain the doubling cube. As with a normal double/re-double the original doubler can accept or refuse the beaver.
Bertha
To mistakenly play a 65 from the twenty-four point without noticing that your opponent has made his 6- and 7- points thus blocking you in.
Biba
British Isles Backgammon Association.
Big Play
A bold agressive play when a safer but less constructive play is available.
Black
A colour used in backgammon articles referring to the darker of the two colours used.
Blitz
An attack on blots in a player's home board aimed at closing out an opponent. (see also Attacking Game)
Block
Points formed in front of an opponent's men to hinder their progress around the board.
Blockade
Contiguous blocks of points formed in order to prevent the escape of an opponent's runners.
Blot
An exposed or lone man on a point, being exposed to a hit.
Blot Hitting Contest
An exchange of rapid, often unprotected hits in which both players try to gain a key point.
Board
a) The playing area of a backgammon game.
b) One of the four segments that comprise the playing surface; home board or outer board.
c) To 'make ones board' means to close out an opponent on the bar by closing all the points in your home board.
Box
In a chouette, the player who plays against all the others.
Break a Point
Removing one of two of your men from a point you already occupy, thus leaving a blot.
Break Contact
A stage in the game where there is no longer any contact between opposing men.
Break the Board
Giving up established points in your home board.
Break Up
(see Break The Board, Crunch)
Builder
A spare man used to make a point with others.
- Michael Crane
