Backgammon Terms

Backgammon is a very simple and interesting game. If you have been playing the game for long; you are already familiar with common terms used in the game. But for novice players here is a simple recap of the games used backgammon.

• Ace refers to the number one especially as the number one on the dice. The Ace point can also be used to refer to the player’s lowest inner board points.
• Anchor refers to a defense points with two or more checkers on the board. Deep anchors are on the opponent’s fifth or seventh areas.
• Back game is a game where the player has at least two of the opponents points
• Bar is the raised vertical bar that divides the right and left part of the board. After a checker is hit they are placed on the bar.
• Blitz in an attack on the opponents back checkers used to remove the opponent.
• Block is used to refer to a player preventing another player from making a move.
• Break refers to the number of checkers on the point
• Builder is a checker that is closer than six pips of a vacant slot or point
• Outer board is the other side of the home board.
• Lovers leap refers to the traditional opening move with a six five dice number
• Bear off refers to the checkers that are moved off the board and taken off by the players in case of loss
• Close out refers to making all six inner board points with the opponents checkers on the bar and out of the game
• Direct refers to being within six pips to a win
• Down is moving the checkers from midpoint to outer board
• Enter is to move from the center bar and into the opponents board area
• Escape means to move your checker from the opponent’s board to your own board and to safety.
• Fan means to fail to enter

There are thousands of words that are used to explain different moves in backgammon. It’s a good idea to learn the basics and then move on to more detailed moves. You can them refer to expert guides like online vocabulary guides, glossaries and indices to find the right word and its meaning. The basic referral terms are already taught at good backgammon training schools.