Ahh, the language of backgammon, it’s enough to make anyone turn around and run away. New to the backgammon scene? Do you get that blank look in your eyes when you hear the word Anchor? Are you completely confused when someone says they have a joker? Are you left wondering what exactly is a pip count? Well, you are not alone, backgammon terminology can be extremely confusing and what’s more, there are tons of it.
In this article, we will look at some of the most common terms used in backgammon and what they mean. After reading this article, you will move on to your next game of backgammon and can use the terminology like an old professional. Let’s get started, shall we?
Anchor: two or more pieces that occupy any point within the opponent’s interior 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 – Represents the points a player is required to take in order to win. At the start of a game, each player starts with 167 as their pip count. 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 pip count of 167 each.
Point: In backgammon, there are twenty-four points. This is not the score in any way, 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” earns 2 points or a double game, and Backgammon is worth 3 points or a triple game.
Single Game – A game won by taking all the chips before the opponent, when the opponent also takes the chips.
Gammon – A game won by taking all the chips before the opponent, when the opponent has not started to draw.
Backgammon – the name of the game, as well as a win. This victory occurs when a person takes all the tiles before the opponent and the opponent has not started to remove, and the opponent has a spot on the bar.
Bear off – This is the act of removing the backgammon tiles from the board.
Blot – A single backgammon tile susceptible to opponent’s attacks.
Hit: To attack an opponent’s blot, the blot is placed on the central bar of the board.
Hit and Cover: Not only do you attack your opponent’s spot, but you also keep moving that same chip to protect the spot that you would have otherwise left vulnerable.
While there are many more terms in backgammon terminology, the above are some of the most widely used. Before you know it, you’ll be talking and playing like a backgammon pro.
