The basics of Backgammon

The Glossary of Backgammon Terms from A - H

Have you just begun to play backgammon and you find your opponents saying gibberish words? Maybe you have played many times but still find some backgammon terms very confusing. Fret no more because you will find the some of the most important terms used in playing backgammon in this informative article. You will find here the meanings of backgammon words you will usually come across when playing a match. We have tried our best to make it as concise as possible so you can relate well with it. The letters included here are from A to H emphasizing on important words from each letter. You also have the option to look for other terms online but this glossary will give you a good grasp of backgammon. All you have to do is scroll down and read the terms as they appear. Enjoy!

Ace Point - The first point of a player.

Ace Point Game - A type of game wherein the player's only chance to win is a shot against the ace point when the opponent is bearing off.

Action Play - A type of backgammon play provoking contact as the opponent escaped from the back checkers.

Attacking Game - This is a position in which you hit and try to close out on your opponent where you usually hit your inner board.

Backgame - This is a defensive move or position, wherein you are forced to go to whenever you hold two points the inner board of your opponent.

Backgammon - Is the name of the very game I am talking about. The result of this game is when the first player removed all his checkers whereas his opponent may still have a checker in the first player's home board. If the last checker is on the bar, this accounts for a triple game.

Bar – A division separates the inner table as well as the outer so as not to be counted as a space.

Bear In – is a move that positions your checkers into the inner board as a preparation for bearoff.

BearOff - A period of the match wherein the players throw off checkers nearing the end of the play.

Block - This is a move to garner points before your opponent hindering the latter's progress.

Board – it is the playing surface in backgammon. This includes the board's four quadrants.

Break a Point - This is done to give up a gained point.

Cash – it is a move for the player to cash in his lead for points whenever the opponent is in a bad predicament and cannot refuse an offer.

Checkers - These include the individual parts of the army. There are 15 checkers on each side and these are named men, pips, counters, tiles or stones.

Chouette - Is a type of backgammon game made up of three or more players. One player "in the box" will play against the team. The portions of the other three players depend upon the luck of the captain.

Coffeehouse - This is done to confuse your opponent causing them to make a wrong move.

Contact Position – it is a backgammon match wherein, opposing checkers must not move past one another and must still hit each other.

Crawford Rule - A type of game used whenever a player is 1 point behind in winning the match. The doubling cube may not be used on the second game but is available on the subsequent matches.

Cube - This is a die-shaped piece of object that contains a geometric progression of numbers. The range may be from two to 64.

Dead Checker - This is a checker placed deep in the inner board and may no longer build a point.

Deuce Point - means 2 points.

Dice – This is the plural word of die and it means there are cubes containing dots on the surface corresponding to numbers 1 to 6.

Direct Shot - This occurs when any number on a die hits one checker.

Double Match Point - This happens when both the players are one or two points away from winning the match.

Early Game - Means the first few parts of the play.

Endgame - Refers to the positions of the players where one began to bear off.

Enter - To position a checker placed from the bar to the homeboard of the opponent.

Fan - Pertains to failure to re-enter right after being hit.

Fly Shot - Is a shot with few combinations.

Forced Move - There is only one way to play the roll.

Gammon - This occurs when a player bears off all the checkers before the opponent's checkers have taken off. Whenever you win a gammon match, you double the points indicated in the cube.

Golden Point - Refers to the opponent's 5 points.

Heavy Point - Is a point, which contains more than three checkers.

Hit - Moving your checkers to a point that is occupied by the opponent's checker placing them on bar.

Hit and Cover – it is a strategy wherein, you will hit your opponents blot and then of on with the same checker to cover you own blot.

Hit and Pass - Hitting an opposing checker but ensuring your checker's safety.

Hit and Split – is to hit a blot with one number whilst splitting you runners with another number.

Hit loose - Means to hit the opponent's blot within your inner board but without making the point. You leave it susceptible to attack of a return shot.

Holland Rule - This occurs when one player has obtained a match point and right after the Crawford Rule has been played. During the next two plays, neither player has the right to double not until two rolls on both sides are completed.

Hypergammon - A version of Backgammon wherein both sides start with three checkers only. There would be one on each of the 1, 2 and 3 points on the inner board of the opponent.

Holding Point – it is the defensive point you control when in a holding game. It is usually the opponent’s four-point, five-point, or bar-point.

I hope this mini-glossary of some Backgammon terms will help you in learning more about this fun game, also for when playing online Backgammon. You can always search for more keywords online.

Datum	Turnering