Definition

1. Noun:
   • A board game for two players: "backgammon" is a strategic game played on a board with 24 narrow triangles called points. Each player has 15 pieces (checkers) that move according to the roll of two dice. The objective is to be the first to move all of one's own pieces off the board.

Usage

• Noun:
  • They enjoy playing a game of backgammon every evening.
  • Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games.

Advanced Usage

• "to be backgammoned": In the context of the game, this can refer to losing a game decisively, especially when one's opponent has borne off all their pieces while the loser still has pieces on the bar or in the opponent's home board.
  • He was backgammoned in the final round, losing all his points.
• "to double" in backgammon: To offer to increase the stakes of the game using a doubling cube.
  • She decided to double when she saw she had a strong position.

Variants and Related Words

• Backgammon board (n): The specific board used to play the game.
  • He bought a beautiful wooden backgammon board.
• Checker (n): One of the 15 pieces each player moves in backgammon.
  • Move your checker to the next point.
• Doubling cube (n): A die used to keep track of the current stake of the game.
  • The doubling cube showed 4, meaning the stakes were quadrupled.

Synonyms

• Board game: A general term for games played on a board.
• Table game: A game played on a board or table.

Related Phrases

• Bear off: In backgammon, to move one's pieces off the board.
  • You must bear off all your checkers to win.
• Hit a blot: In backgammon, to land on a point occupied by a single opposing checker, sending it to the bar.
  • He rolled a five and was able to hit my blot.

Noun

1. a board game for two players; pieces move according to throws of the dice