Ahh, the language of backgammon, it’s enough to make anyone turn and run. Are you new to the backgammon scene? Do you get that blank stare when you hear the word Anchor? Are you completely confused when someone says that he has a wild card? Are you standing there wondering exactly what a pip count is? Well, you’re not alone, backgammon terminology can be extremely confusing, and what’s more, there are tons of them.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common terms used in backgammon and what they mean. After reading this article, you’ll be off to your next game of backgammon, and you’ll be able to play with the terminology like an old pro. Let’s get started, okay?
Anchor: two or more tiles that occupy any point within the opponent’s inner board.
Joker – a lucky roll, a great roll, which has the ability to affect the outcome of the game in favor of a person.
Pip Count – This represents the points a player is required to take in order to win. At the beginning of a game, each player starts with 167 as the number of pips. This means:
– 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 number of pips of 167 each.
Point – In backgammon, there are twenty-four points. This is not the score by any means, instead these are the triangles that represent the spaces. However, this can also be used for 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.
Individual game: A game that is won by taking out all the chips before the opponent, when the opponent is also taking out chips.
Gammon: A game that is won by taking out all the checkers before the opponent, when the opponent has not started taking them out.
Backgammon – the name of the game, as well as a win. This victory occurs when one person draws all the tiles before the opponent and the opponent has not started drawing them, and the opponent has a stain on the bar.
Bear off – This is the act of removing backgammon checkers from the board.
Blot – A single backgammon tile susceptible to the opponent’s attacks.
Hit: To attack an opponent’s blob, the blob is placed on the center bar of the board.
Hit and Cover: Not only do you attack your opponent’s blob, but you also keep moving that same token to protect the blob that you would have otherwise left vulnerable.
While there are many more terms in backgammon terminology, the above are some of the most commonly used. Before you know it, you’ll be talking and playing like a backgammon pro.
