New players often hear the word “gammon” and wonder if it has anything to do with bacon. It does not — but it is one of the most important concepts in backgammon. Understanding gammons and backgammons transforms how you think about scoring, cube decisions, and strategy.
Key Takeaways
- A gammon occurs when the winner bears off all 15 checkers before the loser bears off any — worth double the stake
- A backgammon occurs when the loser still has a checker on the bar or in the winner's home board — worth triple the stake
- A regular win (single) is worth the base stake; gammon = 2×; backgammon = 3×
- All values are multiplied by the current doubling cube value
- Gammon chances heavily influence correct cube decisions — never ignore them
- The Jacoby Rule in money games makes gammons score only if the cube has been turned
The Three Ways to Win in Backgammon
Every backgammon game ends with one of three outcomes:
1. Single (Normal Win)
You bear off all 15 checkers before your opponent does. Your opponent has also borne off at least one checker.
Worth: 1 point (× cube value)
2. Gammon
You bear off all 15 checkers before your opponent bears off any checkers.
Worth: 2 points (× cube value)
Your opponent still has all 15 of their checkers on the board when you finish.
3. Backgammon
You bear off all 15 checkers while your opponent still has at least one checker either:
- On the bar, or
- In your home board (your 1–6 point)
Worth: 3 points (× cube value)
A backgammon is the rarest outcome. It happens most often in games where one player was attacking aggressively with a strong home board.
Scoring Summary
| Result | Points | With 2-cube | With 4-cube |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single win | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Gammon | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Backgammon | 3 | 6 | 12 |
Why Gammons Matter Strategically
Understanding gammon chances changes your entire approach to backgammon:
Effect on Cube Decisions
When gammon chances are high, cube decisions become more complex. A player who is losing a game but has gammon threats is in a better position than their raw winning percentage suggests — because winning the gammon pays double.
Example: You have a 30% chance to win the game, but if you win, you win a gammon 70% of those times. Your effective equity is:
- 30% × 70% gammon = 21% gammon wins (worth 2 each)
- 30% × 30% single = 9% single wins (worth 1 each)
- Effective score per game = much better than 30% suggests
Bots and experienced players calculate this explicitly when deciding whether to double or accept.
Effect on Checker Play
Once you’re clearly winning, you face a choice: play safe and secure the single win, or play aggressively to try for a gammon?
Going for gammon is correct when:
- The gammon wins extra points that matter (e.g., in match play to reach the target score)
- The risk of losing the game is low
- The cube hasn’t been used (see Jacoby Rule below)
Saving the gammon (defending) is correct when:
- You’re losing and need to stop the opponent from getting a gammon
- A gammon loss hurts your match score much more than a single loss
The Gammon Price
Experienced players use the concept of gammon price — how much a gammon is worth relative to a single win.
In a simple money game with a 2-cube:
- Winning a gammon pays 4 points (vs. 2 for a single)
- Losing a gammon costs 4 points (vs. 2 for a single)
This means every extra gammon you win trades against losing extra games. The question is always: how many gammons am I gaining versus how many games am I risking?
The Jacoby Rule
In money games (not match play), the Jacoby Rule is commonly used:
Gammons and backgammons only count if the doubling cube has been turned at least once during the game.
Effect: If neither player doubles, a gammon is scored as a single win. This rule speeds up play and encourages more cube action by removing incentive to play for a gammon without doubling.
Important: The Jacoby Rule does not apply in match play. In match play, gammons always count full value regardless of the cube.
How to Save a Gammon
When you’re clearly losing, your priority shifts from winning to saving the gammon — getting at least one checker off before your opponent bears off all 15.
Key techniques:
- Run from danger: Move checkers out of your opponent’s home board immediately
- Escape the bar quickly: Never let a checker sit on the bar while your opponent bears off
- Sacrifice safety for speed: It’s better to leave blots if running saves time
- Play for the slot: Get checkers off your high points early so you can start bearing off
In match play, saving a gammon at a critical score can be as important as winning the game outright.
Backgammons in Practice
Backgammons (triple wins) are rare but occur in specific situations:
- Your opponent has a checker on the bar and cannot enter (you have a closed board)
- Your opponent has a checker deep in your home board (e.g., your 1-point)
- You complete your bearoff very quickly in an attacking game
When you have a realistic backgammon threat, you may be justified in accepting a slightly worse position to keep those checkers trapped.
Gammon Rate by Game Type
Different game types produce gammons at very different rates:
| Game type | Approximate gammon rate |
|---|---|
| Pure race (even) | Very low (~5-10%) |
| Holding game | Low-moderate (~15-25%) |
| Attacking (blitz) | High (30-50%+) |
| Back game (attacker) | High if attack succeeds |
| Priming game | Moderate (depends on anchor) |
This is why attacking games are so dangerous and so rewarding — the gammon premium makes them attractive even at some risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gammon in backgammon?
A gammon is when the winning player bears off all 15 checkers before the opponent bears off any. It scores double the normal game value.
What is the difference between a gammon and a backgammon?
A gammon means the loser bore off zero checkers. A backgammon means the loser still has a checker on the bar or in the winner’s home board — the rarest and most valuable outcome (triple points).
Does a gammon count if neither player doubled?
In match play, always yes. In money games using the Jacoby Rule, no — the gammon only counts if the cube has been turned at least once.
How do you avoid being gammoned?
Run your back checkers early, prioritise entering from the bar immediately, and don’t let your position crunch (stack too many checkers on low points) while your opponent bears off freely.
How often do gammons occur?
In typical competitive play, roughly 20-30% of games end in a gammon. It varies greatly by game type and how aggressively both players play.
Does the doubling cube multiply gammon value?
Yes. A gammon at cube value 2 is worth 4 points. A backgammon at cube value 4 is worth 12 points. This is why gammon risks must always be considered when making cube decisions.
Further Reading
- Backgammon Rules — Complete rules including scoring
- Doubling Cube Guide — How gammons affect cube decisions
- Gammon Price — When to play for gammon and when to play safe
- Jacoby Rule — How the Jacoby Rule changes gammon scoring
- Match Play Rules — How gammons score in match play
- Bearing Off Guide — How the game ends
- Backgammon Strategy — When to go for a gammon