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 tables. [ 1913 Webster ]

backgammon board, a board for playing backgammon, often made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together, each tray containing two “tables”. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]