n. [ Origin unknown; perhaps fr. Dan. bakke tray + E. game; or very likely the first part is from E. back, adv., and the game is so called because the men are often set back. ] A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a “board” marked off into twenty-four spaces called “points”. Each player has fifteen pieces, or “men”, the movements of which from point to point are determined by throwing dice. Formerly called
backgammon board,
v. t. In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before the loser is clear of his first “table”. When played for betting purposes, the winner in such a case scores three times the wagered amount. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]