Basic Backgammon Tournament Rules

Backgammon is a game of skill and luck and has become so popular today that many tournaments and competitions have started occurring all over the world.

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As the game has stretched its wings worldwide, the rules have undergone several changes before reaching standardization in the year 1990. Most people now follow the same standard and occasionally with a cosmetic variance, which should be taken into account before any particular tournament.

The tradition of backgammon is that the number of points in tournaments is always odd. Matches generally start at 9 and may be increased to 13 or 15 points with the progress of the game. Remember, the more the duration, the more the skill is mandatory.

There is a clear-cut guideline regarding even the recess between two games, which is 5 mints (for a match of 13 points or less), violation of which may lead to penalty points rewarded to the opponent. Even slow play (as observed by the Director) is cautioned followed by penalties. However, for games with larger points there be a different recess time at the discretion of the director.

All tournaments start with the doubling cube placed in the middle. In some competitions (mainly in money games), the Jacoby rule is followed, where the double is a must for gammon and backgammon. The John Crawford rule is followed at the finishing stage of the game where the opponent cannot announce a double in the subsequent game if the other is just one point away from victory. All normal rules will be restored if the match continues even beyond that very next game.

The dice should be shaken vigorously inside the dice cup before ‘tossing them out’ for a proper bounce and free rolling. The reading can be taken only when both the die are completely resting flat on the board. Checkers should be handled neatly by one hand only and one needs to wait for the completion of the opponent’s turn. Any illegal move of the opponent should immediately be brought into the notice of the director. It is also advisable for players to maintain a score sheet on their own and check them out before start of every game.

According to the United States Backgammon Tournament Rules & Procedures, the win of gammon or backgammon does not necessitate double and at the final stage the Crawford rule is to be followed. The Double and redouble need to be clearly, verbally announced and rejection to that effect may be announced as ‘Pass’.

In case of dispute, the Director’s decision is final. At most, a panel of experts (setup by the director) may be consulted if a particular situation arises during the progress of the game.

Under no circumstance, should a set of rules deprive the Director of his freedom of judgment or prevent him from finding the solution dictated by fairness with the circumstances of a particular case.’

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