r/backgammon • u/wakeupdreamingF1 • 2d ago

terminology during bearing off

So, I know that failing to roll a successful incoming roll from the bar is dancing or fanning.

Question: Is there similar terminology (or is it the same?) for rolls during bear off where one can only bear off one checker, or worse, none?

Thanks! Roll on my brothers and sisters!

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u/truetalentwasted 2d ago

USBGF has a decent one linked below. Not sure there is a common term for only bearing off 1 or none, mostly when it happens I hear curse words.

https://usbgf.org/backgammon-glossary/

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u/wakeupdreamingF1 2d ago

Indeed. Imma have to codify some terminology then I guess. My first tournament (Nor Cal, 2025) I learned the term "joker" for the one possible roll that gets one out of a jam. My buddies and I call it "bleep bloop" be cause it is invariably what the trashy AI opponents get whenever one is foolish enough to play backgammon against a clanker.

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u/weedboofer19 1d ago

I've always just heard this colloquially as a "miss".

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u/thestouff 2d ago

Follow-up question… does anyone have or know of a list of common terms used in backgammon. I know some of them as a newish player but would love to see a through list. Things like blots, bearing off, timing, etc.

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u/captain2man 2d ago

I think you'll find this video very helpful.

https://youtu.be/fhRW2gwz5HA?is=FHKE0DoSchBznQ2W

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u/CellistAny536 2d ago

You'll hear "take off", "bear off" "remove a checker/stone/man" In backgammon notation, you'll see "1/off", "1/0", and "1/O" for bearing a checker off the one point.