Backgammon Glossary Dictionary: O

Odds: The ratio of the probability of an event happening to that of its not happening, or vice versa. Usually the higher number is given first. For example, the odds of rolling double 6’s are “35 to 1 against“.
Off (the Board): Said of checkers which have been borne off.
One-Checker Model: A model for estimating winning chances in a pure race based on the players’ pip counts. In this model, all of a player’s pips are represented by just one checker on a infinitely-long backgammon board. The one-checker model overestimates winning chances in positions where one side has more wastage than the other. See post by: Hugh Sconyers.
One-Point: The deepest point in a player’s home board, the point farthest from the bar and closest to being borne off; also called the ace-point.
One-Point Match: A backgammon variant where the goal is to be the first player to bear off all of your checkers. There is no doubling cube and no bonus for gammons or backgammons. Since you never lose more than one point, back games are more of an option in this variant than in regular backgammon. See posts by Lou Poppler and Bernhard Kaiser.
One-Sided Bearoff Database: A bearoff database where the arrangement of checkers on only one player’s side is considered. The values in the database are calculated assuming the goal at each turn is to minimize the average number of rolls required to bear off. Compare: Two-Sided Bearoff Database.
Online Backgammon: This refers to playing backgammon over the Internet. Online backgammon allows players all over the world to compete against one another. You can play for rating points or for real money. See: Backgammon Server.
On Roll: The player whose turn it is. You are on roll as soon as your opponent picks up his dice to end his turn, and before you throw the dice to begin your own turn. For example, the only time you may double is when you are on roll.
On the Bar: Where a checker is placed after it is hit. When you have a checker on the bar, you may not move any of your other checkers until that checker has been entered back onto the board.
On Tilt: Steaming.
Open Division: The main division of a tournament; the division that any player may enter. Also called the championship division, it generally has the highest entry fee, the largest prizes, and attracts the strongest players. Compare: Novice Division and Intermediate Division.
Opening Game: The first phase of a backgammon game where the players have yet to establish their initial game plans. Compare: Middle Game and End Game.
Opening Roll: The first roll of the game in which both players simultaneously roll one die. This roll determines both the player to go first and the numbers to be played.
Open Point: A position on the board not occupied by two or more of the opponent’s checkers.
Open Tournament: A tournament open to any player regardless of strength or experience. See: Open Division.
Optional Reroll Rule: California rule.
OTB: Over the board.
Otter: [Another furry rodent, by analogy to beaver and raccoon.] An immediate redouble (while retaining ownership of the cube) by the player who just accepted a raccoon.
Outer Board: The side of the board away from where the players bear off their checkers. Each player’s outer board comprises that player’s points seven through twelve. Compare: Home Board.

Outer Table: Outer board.
Outfield: The outer board, particularly points nine, ten, and eleven.

Outside Prime: A contiguous sequence of blocked points in which the majority of those points are in the outer board.
Overage: Points won in excess of those needed to win a match. For example, if you win a game worth 4 points in a match in which you are 2 points away from winning, the surplus 2 points are overage.
Overplay: Make an unnecessarily big play.
Over the Board: Games played face-to-face, as opposed to on the Internet or by correspondence.
Own a Point: To have two or more checkers on a point so that the opponent is blocked from landing or touching down there.
Owner of the Cube: The player who last accepted a double in the game. He places the cube on his side of the board to indicate that only he may make the next double. See: Cube Ownership.
Own the Cube: The player who last accepted a double is said to own the doubling cube. He places the cube on his side of the board. Only the owner of the cube may offer the next double in the same game. Compare: Centered Cube.

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