Names of Points

The fifth point in your home board is known far and wide to be the most valuable point on the board at the start of the game, and for this reason, it's called The Golden Point.  Besides the Gold, all the other points on the backgammon board have generally been known only by their numerical nomenclatures.  However, each point does have a proper name.  Previously only known to the keepers of esoteric backgammon lore, these names will finally see the light of day.

Starting from the Golden Point and moving in toward home, we come to the Copper, the Nickel, the Cadmium/Talc, and finally, the Iron Point.  The Adamantium sits between the Gold and the Bar.  The Adamantium starts with 5 pieces and is believed to be the strongest point on the board. Some players believe the Adamantium to be invincible even while harboring a blot.

Moving to the outer boad, we find the Bar Point located directly adjacent to The Bar. One space further out is the Fool’s Gold.  Judging by it's location two spaces from the bar, you may believe in the value of this point, but you’re a fool for doing so. Following this foolish pattern, all the outer board points can be referred to as the Fool’s Version of their inner board mirror.

Iron Point
Cadmium Point/Nickel-Cadmium Point/Tungsten Point/Disputed Territory
Nickel Point
Copper Point
Golden Point
Adamantium Point

THE BAR

Bar Point/Fool’s Adamantium
Fool’s Golden Point
Fool’s Copper Point
Fool’s Nickel Point
Fool’s Cadmium Point/Fool’s Nickel-Cadmium Point/Fool’s Tungsten Point/Fool’s Disputed Territory
Fool’s Iron Point

Happy First Quarter,
Sleeve of Crete