Glossary Of Backgammon Terms

ABT
ABT is the acronym for the American Backgammon Tour. The ABT holds an annual tour similar to the American Contract Bridge League's. For more information visit www.chicagopoint.com.

Anchor/Advanced Anchor
An anchor is a point on your opponent's inner backgammon board occupied by two or more of your checkers. An advanced anchor is an anchor on your opponent's four point or five point.

Back Game/Holding Game
Back game refers to the strategy used when a player holds two or more anchors. The goal is to hold the anchors as long as possible, forcing an awkward bear off, and hopefully hitting a blot. If a player is behind on the table, this strategy is called a holding game.

Bear In/Bear Off/Bearoff
To bear in is to move your checkers into your inner board in preparation for bear off. Bear off, also known as throw off, take off, eat, or peel, is the process of removing pieces from the inner table.

Blot/Hit/Shot
A single checker occupying a point is called a blot. A blot is vulnerable to a shot from an opponent's checker. A successful shot is called a hit, at which point the blot is moved to the bar and forced to start over.