Baccarat History
 | History of Baccarat The origins of Baccarat are not well established. Most people agree that Baccarat dates back to the Middle Ages, although some gaming scholars differ in their opinion of its founding father and most, but not all, say that the game was first played with a Tarot deck. According to one theory, Baccarat is said to have been created by the Italian money lender, Lino Bussoli, in the remote and mountainous region of Abruzzo. Bussoli was feared throughout the region due to his shady dealings and his unsightly appearance. Born with a severely hooked nose, it did not help that both his ears were cut off by a local citizen-soldier as punishment for his crooked behavior and disloyalty to the principality. This did not stop him from devising new and clever ways to make money, however, and some say he is responsible for a host of gambling games which have evolved and changed over the years as they spread to various parts of the globe. The original version of Baccarat made its way... Read More |
Baccarat Probabilities
 | Baccarat Probabilities What makes Baccarat so appealing? Many individuals have designated this their favorite game for 3 reasons: The house has a very low edge. There is not a lot of strategy to consider when playing. And it is essentially a very simple game to learn and play. Common questions asked by those who are learning the game include: Why is Baccarat surrounded by an aura of prestige and elegance? What's with all the velvet? And, who exactly plays Baccarat? Well, those are good questions and puzzling to many experts. One of the most alluring aspects of Baccarat is the glitz and glamour that often accompanies it. Typically, the Baccarat tables in Vegas and AC casinos are roped-off affairs, with velvet partitions and beautiful women adorning the crowd and attending to the high-rolling participants. Solemn and serious, tuxedo-clad dealers add to the striking image of overt wealth and prestige. Because of all this, one might expect Baccarat to be complicated and accessible only... Read More |
Baccarat Strategy
| Baccarat Strategy A reliable Baccarat strategy is generally considered a falsehood among gamblers. Although you may often hear people asserting that they have devised the 'perfect' strategy, Baccarat is essentially a game of chance and there is relatively little the player can do strategically to improve the odds. However, that does not mean that there is no point thinking about the game. There are several central things to remember when playing baccarat that will help you to make correct decisions and play more intelligently and, therefore, increase your chances of success. Consider the following questions and answers if you want to become a better player: Is pattern spotting an effective strategy or superstitious hogwash? Use the scoreboard! You will undoubtedly see other players make use of the pencil and chart provided by most casinos, on which they keep track of previous hands and try to determine if there is a pattern. Usually, if they believe there is a pattern, they wil... Read More |
Baccarat Rules & Introduction
| Baccarat Rules & Introduction Originating from the European games of 'Chemin de Fer' and 'Punto Banco', Baccarat is, unfortunately, a game of mystery to a lot of gamblers despite the fact that it's a staple of most American casinos. This is unfortunate, as it is, in fact, a relatively basic card game. Unlike Blackjack, players make decisions before the hand is even dealt and not during the course of play. Bets can be placed on the house, the players themselves, or for a tie. Then, you just have to sit back and watch the action unfold! Table Layout The 'American' table generally includes a middle area for the croupier and two similar ends. Breakdown: 1. Caller ("Croupier") 2. Dealer1 3. Dealer2 4. Drop Box 5. Discard Trays 6. Tips box Up to 14 players occupy the seats, which correspond to the numbers on the layout wagers placed in a section outlined in front of the players. According to the possible choices at the beginning of each game, the player ... Read More |
Backgammon Equipment
 | Backgammon Equipment On this page, we've assembled a list and breakdown of the tools and materials you'll need to play backgammon in its old-fashioned, 'live' variety. As with any game perhaps, it's probably a good idea - and can be a lot of fun - to learn the game "in the flesh" before playing on the internet. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need to begin: 1 Backgammon board or layout. 30 stones/checkers (15 in one color & 15 in another). A pair of regular six-sided dice (One pair will suffice, but usually each player has a pair). A dice cup used to shake and randomly cast the dice. A doubling cube, which is a six-sided die with the numerals 2,4,8,16,32 & 64. This is used to keep track of the number of units at stake in a game. To find, browse, or buy any of these items, check out some of the links we've provided below to online backgammon stores/outlets: Links to Online Backgammon Shops http://www.backgammonhellas.com/ This fami... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - A
 | Backgammon Glossary - A ABT - The American Backgammon Tour. Accept a double - To agree to continue a game at twice the previous stakes, when requested by an opponent. Ace - When a rolled die shows the number 1. Ace-Point - The 1-point. Ace-Point Game - A situation in the late stages of a game where you have two or more checkers anchored on your opponent's ace-point, and you are trying to hit and prevent your opponent from subsequently doing the same. Acey-Deucey - A dice roll of 1-2. Acting Captain - In a chouette, the crew member who plays for the team against the box after the original captain has declined the box's double and is excluded from the game. Action Play - A strategy intended to result in an exchange of hits. Usually occurs after a player has sent his/her runners. Active Builder - A builder which is free and in position to make a point. Advanced Anchor - An anchor in your opponent's board, which allow the opportunity to escape, but also makes it possible to h... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - B
| Backgammon Glossary - B Backgame - A strategy used when you are behind in a match but you hold two or more points (anchors) in your opponent's home board. The idea is to make points in your home board and wait until he is forced to open checkers in his back board, and then attempt to hit him. Backgammon - 1. A game played with dice and checkers on a board consisting of twenty-four points. The object is to move the checkers around the board and bear them off first while preventing the opponent from doing the same thing. 2. A finished game of backgammon in which the loser has not borne off any checkers and still has one or more checkers on the bar or in the winner's home board. Also called a triple game because the winner receives three times the initial stake.A Baffle Box - A device used to roll dice randomly. Bank Roll - The amount of money you have available for wagering, or the maximum you are willing to lose in one playing session. Bar Point - The 7-point. Bar - The raised b... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - C
| Backgammon Glossary - C A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | U | V | W Calcutta Auction - A lottery selection of entrants in a backgammon tournament. At the start of the tournament, players are auctioned off and the money gets placed into a pool to be distributed later to the buyers of the winning players. Commonly players are grouped into fields, with each field sold as a package. The rules usually allow a player to buy himself or a portion of himself if he would like to increase his stake in the tournament. Candlesticks - A position in which a player stacks many checkers on points he already occupies. Also known as Stacking. Captain - In a chouette, the leader of the team playing against the box (single player). Cash - Offer a double when a player is certain his opponent will to refuse to accept it. Centered Cube - The starting position of the doubling cube in the centre of the bar prior to either player offering a double. Checker - One of the p... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - D
| Backgammon Glossary - D Dance - Throwing numbers which deny entrance to the board from the bar. Dead Checker - A checker located deep in the player's home board where it serves no useful purpose. Dead Cube - When use of the doubling cube has no advantage. Dead Number - When the numbers rolled on the dice cannot be used and must be forfeited. Decline a Double - To refuse the offer of a double and surrender the game. Deep - A checker situated on a low-numbered point. Deep Anchor - An anchor located on the opponent's 1- or 2-point. Deuce Point - The 2-point. Dice - Small cubes with dots of each face representing the numbers 1 to 6; an essential component of backgammon. Dice Combinations - The number of possible outcome using two 6-sided dice. There are 36. Dice Cup - A small cylindrical container used to ensure randomness when rolling the dice. Die - The singular form of dice. Dilly Builder - An spare checker that can land only deep into your home board. Direct Hit - A checker that is ope... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - E
| Backgammon Glossary - E Early Game - The initial moves of a game, prior to the establishment of a game plan by either player. Edge of a Prime - An open point directly in front of an opponent's prime. Eject - To flee from an ace-point game in order to avoid losing a gammon or a backgammon. Elo Ratings System - A method of rating players created by Arpad Elo for the U.S. Chess Federation in 1960. Most backgammon ratings systems are based on Elo's system. End Game - The final segment of a game where there is no further contact among player's checkers and they begin to bear off. Enter - To move a checker that has been hit from the bar into the opponent's home board. Equity - "Equity" is the value of ownership. In backgammon, it means either the value of your game, or your chances of winning the match. Three types of equity are generally cited: Cubeless Equity, Cube Equity and Settlement Equity. Escape - To advance a runner to safety or past the opponent's blockade. Eureka - A simplified fo... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - F
| Backgammon Glossary - F A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | U | V | W Fan - A dice roll that fails to allow a checker to re-enter from the bar. Also called Dance, Fail, or Flunk. Fast Board - A bear off position in which you expect to take off at least two checkers on each roll, usually because you have most of your remaining checkers on the high points. Favorite - The player judged most likely to win a game, match, or event. Field Goal - When you have the opportunity to hit two checkers that are two spaces apart and roll a number than lands between them. Fish - A poor money manager; a weak player who is prone to losing money. Fly Shot - A long indirect shot with very few possible combinations, using both the numbers of the dice roll. Flunk - To fail to enter a checker from the bar. Also called dance, fail, or a fan. Fold - To decline a double. Forced Play - A dice roll that has only one legal move. Forward Anchor - Advanced anchor, usually on th... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - G
| Backgammon Glossary - G Game Plan - A strategy used to win the game. Three major game plans are Run, Attack, and Block. Gammon - When a game ends and the losing player failed to bear off any checkers. The winner scores twice the value of the points at stake. Gammon Count - A method used to assess a player's chance of being gammoned. Gammonish - A position that has a higher than normal gammon rate. Gammon Price - The relative value of winning a gammon in comparison to winning only a single game. Gammon Rate - The fraction of games which end in a gammon or a backgammon including those that would end in a gammon if played to completion, but are not because the opponent refuses a double and aborts the game. Gammon Vig - The extra equity resulting from the possibility of a gammon which influences cube decisions. Gap - The space or empty spaces between made points. Gin Position - A position from which a player cannot lose Girls - Name for a dice roll of 5-5. Golden Point - The opponent's 5 p... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - H
| Backgammon Glossary - H Hara-Kiri Play - A tactic one uses which exposes blots for the purpose of re-circulating the player's checkers. In reference to the Japanese form of ritualistic suicide. Heavy Point - A point with more than three checkers on it; a stack. Hedging - In tournament play for money, this is a side bet aimed at ensuring that even the loser will walk away with something. Example, before a match both players agree that the winner will pay the loser $100 out of the $500 prize winnings. Hit - To land on a point where there is only one of your opponent's checker. The checker is then placed on the bar and must be re-entered before any other checkers can be moved. Hit and Cover - To hit an opposing blot and then continue on with the same checker to cover your own blot. Hit and Pass - To hit an opponent's checker and continue with it to safety on one of your own points. Also called pick and pass. Hit and Split - To move forward a back man while hitting your opponent's blot els... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - I
| Backgammon Glossary - I >Illegal Move - A move which does not adhere to the rules of the game. The opposing player must state an objection before he/she rolls the dice. Inactive Builder - A checker that is part of a prime or a blockade but which has the potential to be used to make another point or to form another block. Indirect Shot - A checker that is more than 6 pips away from a blot. Also called a combination shot. Initial Stake - The amount initially wagered. Upon completion of the game, this amount is multiplied by the current value of the doubling cube, and multiplied again by 2 if the loser is gammoned or 3 if backgammoned. Inner Table - The section of the board into which you must bring all your checkers before you can start bearing off. The inner table consists of your 1- to 6-point. Also called the Home Board. In the Air - A hit piece, placed on the bar.... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - J
| Backgammon Glossary - J Jackpot - An elimination tournament in which only the winner and the runner-up receive any prize money, which is often a large amount. Jacoby Rule - A rule used in money play which states that unless either player has offered a double, gammons and backgammons will count only as a single game and the stakes will not be increased. Intended to speed up play by eliminating situations in which a player avoids doubling so he can play for a gammon. Janowski's Formula - A formula for estimating match equity. It states that if d is the difference in match score and t is the remaining number of points of the trailing player, then the probability of the leading player winning the match is .5 + .85d / (t+6). Jellyfish - A computer program that plays and analyzes positions and matches. Jeopardy - A situation in which an awkward roll on the upcoming turn is likely. Joker - An exceptional roll which heavily influences the outcome of the game. Often it reverses the fortunes of ... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - K
| Backgammon Glossary - K Kauder Paradox - A position that is both a proper double and a correct beaver, and may happen only in money play when using the Jacoby rule. By doubling, the trailing player gets full value for his potential gammons, thus raising his equity; however, as long as this equity stays negative, the opponent should beaver. Kibitz - To watch a match and put forth unwanted comments or suggestions. Kill a Man - A checker that has been played deep into a player's inner table, where it will likely have no further involvement in the game. Kill a Number - To establish a position in which certain numbers of the dice cannot be played on the next turn. Example, killing 6's to prevent a blockade. Knock Off - To land on a point where there is only one of your opponent's checker. The checker is then placed on the bar and must be re-entered before any other checkers can be moved. Also to hit. Knockout Tournament - A single-elimination competition. Kleinman Ratio - Estimates the prob... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - L
| Backgammon Glossary - L A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | U | V | W Last Roll Position - A position in which the next roll will decide the outcome of the game. Lead - The player with a lower pip count is said to have the lead. Leave a Shot - To expose a checker to a potential hit. Liability - An scenario that contributes to the weakness of a position, such as too many blots or stranded checkers. Longgammon - A variation of backgammon in which each player starts with 15 checkers placed on their own 24-point. Loose Man - A single checker. Loose Play - A move that leaves one or more checkers exposed and vulnerable. Lover's Leap - Name for an opening roll of 6-5 which enables the player to move a checker from the opponent's 1-point to his/her mid-point.... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - M
| Backgammon Glossary - M Making a Point - Placing two or more checkers on a point on the board. The opponent cannot move his checks onto that space. Man - One of the player's fifteen markers, typically in either red or white, that is moved around the board according to rolls of the dice. Also known as checkers, pieces, stones, or counters. Mandatory Double - A situation in match play in which the doubling cube has reached a high-enough level that it represents sufficient for the leader to win the match, so the trailing player has nothing to lose by doubling at this point. Mandatory Extras - An optional rule in money games, it states that whenever a double is accepted, the player then can then give the opponent an extra cube at the same level accompanied by a payment equal to one half of its value. The receiver of an extra now has two cubes which he may use together or separately on future turns. Market Gainer - A sequence of two rolls (one for each player) which changes a game from a sc... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - N
| Backgammon Glossary - N Nackgammon - A variation of backgammon with identical rules apart from the starting position, in which 2 checkers are placed on each of the opponent's 1-and 2-points, 4 checkers on the mid-point, 3 checkers on the 8-point, and 4 checkers on the 6-point. With fewer checkers placed up front, and more checkers back, games tend to be played defensively. No Brainer - The stage of the game where there is no further contact between player's checkers and it is essentially a race to the finish. No Contact - When no further hitting or blocking is possible because all opposing checkers are passed each other. Noncommitted Position - A game with more than one option of a game plan; flexibility. Normalized Match Score - A score expressed in terms of points needed, rather than the amount of points won. Novice - A player who is quite new to the game. Nullo - A play that cannot be productive for any possible succession of upcoming rolls. Number of Shots - The number of potential... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - O
| Backgammon Glossary - O One Point Game - A situation in the late stages of a game where you have two or more checkers anchored on your opponent's ace-point, and you are trying to hit and prevent your opponent from subsequently doing the same. Also known as an Ace-point game. On Roll - The player whose turn it is to roll. On the Bar - A checker that has been hit and is waiting to re-enter the game. On Tilt - Reckless or undisciplined play stemming from a loss of emotional control, due to variety of different reasons. Opening Roll - The first roll of the game in which each player rolls one die and the player who rolls the highest number moves first, using the numbers showing. Open Point - Any point on the board that is not occupied by two or more of the opponent's checkers. Otter - An immediate re-double by a player who just accepted a Raccoon. The player retains possession of the doubling cube. Outer Board - Points 7 to 12 for either player, also the side of the board on which the dice ... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - P
| Backgammon Glossary - P Partner for the Box - Occurs in a chouette with 8 or more players, the partner is permitted to take a partner. Parlay - A series of events, each of which depends on the event which precedes it. To calculate the probability of the parlay, you must multiply the probability of each individual event. Partial Prime - A prime of less than 6 points. Pass - To decline a double Pick and Pass - To hit an opponent's blot with and then proceed to a safe point. Pick Up - To hit a blot Pay Now - To take a risk early in the game (for example, exposing a checker), rather than later. Pip - A unit of distance on a backgammon board. Example, when you roll 6-2, you may move one checker a total of 8 pips. Pip Count - A countdown of the total number of points (pips) that a player needs to win the game. The game begins with a pip count of 167. Play - To move one or more checkers according to a roll of the dice. Point - There are 24 points on a backgammon board, each represented by a l... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - Q
| Backgammon Glossary - Q Quacks - A roll of 2-2 on the dice, also called double ducks. Quadrant - One of the four segments of a backgammon board made up of six or points and represented by long narrow triangles. Quads - A roll of 4-4 on the dice. Quatre-point - Another name for the 4-point.... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - R
| Backgammon Glossary - R Raccoon - When a player who has just accepted a Beaver redoubles immediately. Race - The stage in a game in which no further contact between opposing checkers is possible, and the first to bear off is the winner. Rail - The raised bridge on the center of a backgammon board which divides the home board and the outer board. Checkers are placed on the rail after they have been hit. Also known as the bar or the roof. Railroad Tracks - A position in which a player stacks many checkers on points he already occupies. Also known as Stacking, Candlesticks, and Building Pyramids. Re-Circulate - Intentionally leaving blots so that they may be hit in order to preserve a position elsewhere on the board, such as a prime. Recube Vig - The relative worth of cube possession by the player who is being offered the cube, for if he/she decides the situation merits a take, then the player could have a strong re-doubling prospect at a later stage in the game. Re-Double - This occurs a... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - S
| Backgammon Glossary - S Safe - A comfortable position in which none of your checkers can be hit. Safety Play - An attempt to safeguard your checkers, especially from the possibility of being hit. Sandbagger - In tournament play, one who misrepresents their true ability in order to win prizes or money. Save a Gammon - Bearing off at least one checker just in time to avoid being gammoned or backgammoned. Save a Number - To avail yourself an alternative avenue in order to preserve an important position in the event that you roll a certain number. Secure a Point - To cover a blot. Semi-Active Builder - A checker which may be free to make a point depending on the forthcoming roll. Semi-Back Game - A situation in which one is behind in the count but possesses an anchor on either the 4- or 5-point and thus is threatening to hit the opponent whilst bearing in the rest of their checkers. Send Back - To land on a point where there is only one of your opponent's checkers. The checker is then plac... Read More |
Backgammon Glossary - U
| Backgammon Glossary - U Underdog - The player judged least likely to win a game or match. Under the Gun - A blot in the opponent's home board which is threatened by three or more of the opponent's checkers and therefore in danger of being hit and subsequently pointed on. Unstack - To move one or more checkers off of a heavy point.... Read More |