Ahh, the language of backgammon, it is enough to make anyone turn and run away. Are you new to the backgammon scene? Do you get that blank look in your eye when you hear the word Anchor? Are you completely confused when someone claims they got a joker? Do you just stand there wondering exactly what a pip count is? Well, you are not alone, backgammon terminology can be extremely confusing, and what is more there are tons of them.

In this article, we will have a look at some of the most common terms used in backgammon and what they mean. After reading this article, you will go to your next backgammon game and be able to fling around the terminology like you are an old pro. Let’s get started shall we?

Anchor - Two or more chips occupying any point within the inner board of the opponent

Joker - A lucky roll, a great roll, one that has the ability to affect the game’s outcome in a person’s favor

Pip Count - This represent the points in which a player is required to take in order to being bearing off. In the beginning of a game, each player starts with 167 as their pip count. This stands for:

- Point 24 - 2 chips= 48 pips
- Point 13 - 5 chips = 65 pips
- Point 8 - 3 chips - 24 pips
- Point 6 - 5 chips - 30 pips

For a pip count of 167 each.

Point - In backgammon, there are twenty-four points. This is not the score by any means, instead, this is the triangles that represents the spaces. However, this can also be used in scoring, in terms of how many points or wins the game is worth. For example, if a person wins a single game, it is worth one point, gammon wins 2 points or a double game, and Backgammon is worth 3 points or a triple game.

Single Game - A game won by bearing off all chips before the opponent, when the opponent is bearing off as well.

Gammon - A game won by bearing off all chips before the opponent, when the opponent has not begun bearing off.

Backgammon - The name of the game, as well as a win. This win occurs when a person bears off all chips before the opponent and the opponent has not begun to bear off, and the opponent has a blot on the bar.

Bear off - This is the act of removing backgammon chips off of the board.

Blot - A single backgammon chip susceptible to attacks by the opponent.

Hit - To attack the blot of an opponent, the blot is then placed on the center bar of the board.

Hit and Cover - You not only attack the blot of your opponent, but you also keep moving that same chip, in order to protect the blot you would have otherwise left vulnerable.

While there are many more terms in backgammon terminology, the above are a few of the most commonly used. Before you know it, you will be talking and playing like a backgammon professional.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://backgammon.games-webzone.com where you can learn more about playing the game and get great winning strategies for backgammon

Outside Prime: A prime composed of points that mostly or fully exist in the Outer Board.

Own a Point: To possess a point with two or more checkers.

Own the Cube: After you have been challenged to and accepted a double, you will then retain possession of the cube and thus the ability to raise the stakes once again with another double.

Pip Count: Calculated by multiplying the number of checkers on every point by the points assigned number, and then adding each of these totals together. Each player begins the Backgammon game with a pip count total of 167.

Pips: This term has two meanings. 1) Backgammon moves are counted in these units. 2) The specific number of dots on each side of the die that total to equal the side value of the die (1 through 6).

Points: The 24 triangle-shaped dividers on a Backgammon set. There are 12 points on each side of the Backgammon board.

Prime: A strategic move in Backgammon in which a player occupies several points in a row, blocking their opponent from moving forward in the game.

Quadrant: In the Backgammon setup there are four sections of the boards. Each section is comprised of 6 points.

Re-Double: Once a player has already accepted a double challenge from his opponent, he may then turn around and immediately propose a re-double, doubling the stakes of the game once again.

Runners: The two checkers that begin the game on the opponents 1 point.

Set Up: The Backgammon set up is the way the board and its pieces are laid out at the beginning of a game. The set up is always the same, and includes 2 checkers on the opponents 1 point (Runners), a stack of 5 checkers on the 13 point in the middle of the board, 3 checkers on the 8 point, and 5 checkers immediately after that on the 6 point.

Shot: A players chance to hit an opponents blot.

Shut Out: The Backgammon strategy that involves blocking the points on your home board to ensure that your opponent cannot re-enter after a hit.

Slot: Landing a single checker on one point with the objective of making that point on the following turn.

Spare: Additional checkers located on a point that are not needed to control the point.

Split: Two separate two checkers who cover one point.

Switch Points: To forsake one point in order to make another.

White: The nickname used to describe one of the games players based on the light color of his checkers.

About the Author:

Online backgammon pro Gene Marshall works for many popular internet backgammon sites. The author contributes articles about backgammon online and internet backgammon. Other information and articles published by Gene Marshall on the matter of online backgammon are accessible online.

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