Backgammon Glossary
A comprehensive guide to the terminology of this classic game.
- H -
Half a Roll
One number showing on a pair of tossed dice.
Hara-Kiri Play
A play which exposes blots for the purpose of recirculating the player's men.
Heavy Point
A point with more than three men on it.
Hit
To land on a point where there is an opponent's lone man (blot), and put him on the bar.
Hit and Cover
To hit (as in Hit above) and then continue to cover your own blot, in a single play with a single man.
Hit and Pass
(see Pick and Pass)
Hit and Split
To move a back man and hit an opponent's blot elsewhere on the board in one move.
Hit Loose
To hit an opposing man at a time when the player's own blots are in danger of a return hit.
Holding Game
A game in which one player occupies a point or points on the opponent's side of the board to make it more difficult for the opponent to bring home his men safely.
Holland Rule
An optional rule for match play to be used in conjunction with the Crawford rule. It states that after the Crawford game neither player may double until two rolls have been played by each side. Named after Tim Holland.
Home Board
Points 1 to 6, the segment of the playing surface where players bear off their men.
- I -
Inactive Builder
A man which is currently part of a block or prime that might be used later to form other blocks.
Indirect Shot
(see Combinaton Shot)
Inner Table
(see Home Board)
- J -
Jacoby Rule
A rule mostly used in money play which disallows gammons and backgammons unless either player has accepted a double during the game. Attributed to Oswald Jacoby.
Janowski's Formula
A formula devised by Rick Janowski of England for estimating match equity at a given match score. It says that the probability of the leading player winning the match is:
0.5 + 0.85d /(t+6)
where:
d is the difference in match score and
t is the number of points the trailing player has to go.
(see Neil's Numbers)
Jellyfish
A neural net computer program that plays backgammon, analysis and performs rollouts. Developed by JellyFish AS.
Jeopardy
Potential for awkward rolls on a future turn.
Joker
An exceptionally good roll, especially a roll that reverses the likely outcome of the game. An example of a joker would be a roll of double sixes to bear off your last four men when your opponent otherwise wins on his next turn. (see Cock Shot)
- K -
Kauder Paradox
The fact that in money play with the Jacoby Rule in effect, a position can theoretically be both a proper double and a proper beaver. By doubling, the underdog gets full value for his potential gammons, thus raising his equity. However, as long as this equity remains negative, the doubler's opponent should naturally beaver.
Kibitzer
A spectator who often offers unwanted advice or comment.
Kill a man
To move an extra man deep within a player's home board where it serves no useful purpose. (see Dead Man)
Kill a Number
To create a position in which a specific die value cannot be played on the next turn.
- L -
Last Roll Position
The last position of a game in which both players still have a chance to win.
Leave a Shot
Leave a blot exposed within range of an opponent's men.
Loose Man
(see Blot)
Lover's Leap
An opening roll of 65 played from the twenty-four point to the thirteen point.
- Michael Crane
