Online Backgammon Glossary
Your
complete Backgammon Dictionary
Just start playing backgammon and have no idea what people you are playing are saying half the time? Been playing backgammon for awhile but still get stuck by some experienced player's mastery of backgammon jargon? If you are looking for a particular backgammon term just click on the letter below and scroll down until you find it.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
L
Last Roll Position: A position where the exact odds of winning can be calculated (usually with the intent of offering or taking a double) with both players still having a chance to win. In the last roll position where the player on roll has two checkers on the 2 pt. and the other player as two checkers on the 1 pt. it is known that it is correct to double and
also correct to take.
Lead : A racing lead is the difference between the pip count of the two players and a match lead is the difference between the match scores of the two players. The bigger the lead a player has, the greater their match equity.
Leave a shot: To leave a checker exposed within range of an opposing checker. Sometimes it is necessary to leave a shot so that you have more builders and a flexible position.
Lock up a point: To make an important point. It is a distinct advantage to lock up the golden point early in the game.
Longshot : A roll where the odds are clearly against it (i.e.. 17-1 or 35-1). You typically can not worry about being hit with a longshot as the probability is very low.
Loose Checker: A Blot.
Loose Play: Playing so as to leave several blots. Loose play can turn
into very poor positions if several checkers are hit and sent back.
Losing your Market: When a number is rolled that would cause your opponent to drop a double on the next turn. When slightly ahead in a race a roll of double 6's would be losing your market.
Lovers Leap: The move of one runner from the 1 pt. to immediate
safety on the 12 pt., made possible by the throw of 6-5. The lovers leap is the best way to play a 6-5 on the opening roll.