Backgammon Glossary
Learn the essential terms and definitions used in backgammon
Ace Point
The first point on the board (point 1), closest to the player's home board.
Anchor
A point in the opponent's home board held by two or more of your checkers.
Bar
The middle strip dividing the board where hit checkers are placed.
Bar Point
The seventh point, next to the bar.
Bear Off
To remove checkers from the board during the final stage of the game.
Blot
A single checker on a point, vulnerable to being hit.
Block
Two or more consecutive points occupied by your checkers, blocking opponent movement.
Builder
A checker positioned to help make a new point.
Checker
One of the 15 playing pieces each player uses.
Closed Board
When all six points in your home board are occupied by two or more checkers.
Come In
To re-enter a checker from the bar into the opponent's home board.
Crawford Rule
In match play, no doubling is allowed in the game immediately following a player reaching match point minus one.
Direct Shot
A shot that can hit a blot with a single die value (1-6 pips away).
Double
To propose doubling the stakes using the doubling cube.
Enter
To bring a checker from the bar back onto the board.
Gammon
Winning when the opponent has not borne off any checkers (worth double points).
Hit
To land on an opponent's blot, sending it to the bar.
Home Board
The final six points (1-6) where checkers must be before bearing off.
Inner Board
Same as home board - points 1-6.
Outer Board
Points 7-12, between the bar and the home board.
Pip
A unit of movement on the board. Each point on the die represents one pip.
Pip Count
The total number of pips required to bear off all your checkers.
Point
One of the 24 triangular spaces on the board.
Prime
Six consecutive points occupied by your checkers, completely blocking opponent movement.
Slot
To place a single checker (blot) on a point to try to make it on the next turn.
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