Definition of tiebreaker

digit randomly added to a matchcode to prevent duplication; also called unique character. Since most matchcodes are derived from various elements of the name and address fields in a record, it is possible to create a duplicate. However, it is highly unlikely that the same tiebreaker would be randomly assigned to two such similar matchcodes. For example, without a tiebreaker, a matchcode consisting only of the first, third, and fourth characters of the last name, the first three characters of the street address, and the ZIP code would be identical for the following individuals (the matchcode here is CHE12E10017; the tiebreakers are 8 and 3): Samuel Cohen 12 E 12th Street, New York 10017=CHE12E100178 Winston Cahern 12 E. Edwards Ave., New York 10017= CHE12E100173