1.1 Interpretation
The Tournament Rules & Procedures cannot, and should not,
regulate all possible situations that may arise during a
game. No set of rules should deprive the Director of his
freedom of judgement and prevent him from finding the
solution dictated by fairness and compatible with the
circumstances of a particular case.
1.2 Scope
Except where otherwise specified, the commonly accepted
rules of backgammon apply.
1.3 Staff
The Tournament Director shall be Mike Main or others
appointed by him, having had similar experience.
1.4 Entries
All entries are subject to the approval of the Director.
1.5 Aids
Once a match is in progress, neither player may use
mechanical or written aids except to keep score, or record
matches. Players may forbid opponents from wearing
headphones.
1.6 Language
The official tournament language is English. Speech in any
other language will not be permitted at any time between
players and/or spectators whilst a match is in progress.
1.7 Spectators
Spectators should remain silent while observing a match.
They have no right to draw attention to any misplays or
comment on plays but have the right to report cheating to
the Director (Rule 6.2). Players may request the Director
to bar any spectator without reason. With proof of
cheating or signalling between a player and spectator(s),
all parties will be disqualified from the tournament, and
banned from all the playing areas. Furthermore they will
lose all and any claims to prize money, prizes, trophies
and any form of remuneration.
1.8 Match Recording
Players may record their own matches either with pen and
paper or video camera as long as the method used is
unobtrusive and does not interfere with the playing of the
game. BBB reserves the right to record matches of its
choice and to market such matches at its discretion.
1.9 Code Of Behaviour
The organiser will not brook bad behaviour and any player
deemed guilty of such (in the opinion of the organiser
and/or fellow members) may be barred from the tournament
losing all and any claims to prize money, prizes, trophies
and any form of remuneration including refunds of
membership or entry fees. (6.3 Appeals)
2.0 Regulations
2.1 Place
All matches to be played in areas agreed by the Director.
Any player missing from the main playing room when called
out in the draw shall incur the first penalty point after
an absence of 5 minutes from the start of the match unless
they are absent with the Director's permission.
2.2 Time
Matches shall start promptly at the appointed time. Two
5-minute recesses only are allowed per 7-point match.
Players must use their breaks at the same time.
2.3 Penalty Points
Penalty points will be awarded against latecomers and
absentees at the rate of one per ten minutes late, the
first point being awarded 10 minutes after the appointed
starting time.
2.4 Slow Play
Players are expected to play at a reasonable pace. If, in
the Director's opinion a match is not progressing at a
reasonable pace a warning may be given. If slow play
continues the Director can either award penalty points or
slot players into lesser matches brackets. The
Director's decision is final. NB. For reference see A
Guide to Match Score and Time document.
2.5 Monitors
The Director may appoint a monitor to observe a match on
his own initiative or at the request of any player. The
Monitor shall have full powers to protect each player from
an opponent's irregularities.
3.0 Preliminaries
3.1 Equipment
Either player may demand that both use when available and
approved by the Director, precision dice (over any
others), and/or lipped cups or baffle boxes, 21”
tournament sized boards. After the start of a match,
equipment can only be changed by the Director. NB: When
playing space is restricted, boards greater than 21" will
not be allowed in the main playing room.
3.2 Preference
If necessary, the direction of play, equipment, choice of
checker colour and seat location shall be decided by the
roll of the highest die prior to the commencement of play.
3.3 Dice
Either player may demand a mixing of the dice prior to the
start of any game. The demanding player shakes and rolls
all four dice then each selects a die in turn.
4.0 Play Of The Game /
Irregularities
4.1 Random Rolls
A legal roll consists of both dice being placed into the
cup and shaken vigorously before rolling simultaneously to
the right of the bar. They are to be thrown from a
discernible height and be seen to bounce and roll freely
across the board.
4.2 Valid Rolls
Both dice must come to rest flat (not cocked) on the
playing surface to the right of the bar; otherwise they
must be rolled again.
4.3 Moving
Players should move clearly, using only one hand to play
the checkers. Players shall re-enter any checker on the
bar before moving any other checker. No player shall move
any checkers during an opponent's turn. Deviations from
proper moving procedure may result in an adverse ruling in
cases of dispute.
4.4 Checker Handling
Checkers that have been hit must be kept on the bar
pending re-entry. Checkers that have been borne off must
be kept off the entire playing surface for the rest of the
game. Failure to observe these procedures may result in an
adverse ruling in any case of dispute or redress to an
opponent harmed thereby.
4.5 Lifting Dice
Players conclude their turn by lifting either or both
dice. With notice to the opponent the player may
reposition the dice on the playing surface to facilitate
the moving of checkers. After the player has lifted both
of the dice the move can only be changed upon an
opponent's demand to replay an illegal move.
4.6 Premature Action
All premature actions, (dice rolls or cube action), shall
stand if otherwise valid. An opponent, who has yet to
complete his turn or act upon the cube, may then do so
with the foreknowledge of the premature roller's dice
throw or cube action.
4.7 Error In Set-Up
An incorrect starting position must be corrected prior to
the fifth roll of the game. The set-up thereafter becomes
official. Players starting with less than fifteen checkers
can still be gammoned or backgammoned.
4.8 Illegal Moves
Upon drawing attention to an illegal move the player may
condone it or demand that the full roll be played legally.
An illegal move is condoned by the opponent rolling their
own dice or turning the cube.
4.9 Completion
Games must be rolled to completion unless ended by a pass
of a double or redouble, or conceded in no-contact
positions, single game, gammon or backgammon losses, or
where it is mathematically impossible for an opponent to
win or save a gammon or backgammon. No game may be
cancelled, replayed or settled. Matches must be played the
appointed length or as decided by the Director.
Non-adherence may lead to disqualification of one or both
players, and result in the loss of all and any claims to
prize money, prizes, trophies and any form of
remuneration.
5.0 Scoring / Doubling
5.1 Keeping Score
Each player shall keep a running match score and compare
it with the opponent's at the start of each game. In the
event of a scoring dispute the player not keeping score
will be at a disadvantage.
5.2 Cube Set-Up
It is the responsibility of both players to ensure that
the cube is in the middle of the board and that the "64"
face is showing at the start of every game. In the event
of a dispute, current position and level of the cube will
strongly affect the Director's ruling. The cube should be
removed during the Crawford game only. (5.5 Crawford Rule)
5.3 Cube Rules
Gammons and backgammons shall count at all times. It is
not necessary to double an opponent first to win a gammon
or backgammon. Beavering is not allowed in tournament play. Automatic doubles
are not allowed in tournament play.
5.4 Cube Handling
Players may only double when it is their turn to roll and
must do so before rolling, (cocked dice are deemed
"rolling" dice). To offer a double or redouble move the
cube towards the opponent at the higher level saying
clearly, "double" or similar. To take, draw the cube
towards oneself and say, "take" or similar, placing the
cube on your side of the board. Both players should ensure
that the correct level is displayed. To reject the cube
one says, "pass" or "drop" and the game is concluded. Care
should be exercised when handling the cube as either
verbal or physical acts might be interpreted as cube
actions by an opponent.
5.5 Crawford Rule
The Crawford Rule will apply to all matches. When a player
reaches match point, the cube cannot be used by either
player for that one game and should be removed from the
board for this one game only. Use of the cube will not be
recognised if any player doubles during the Crawford game.
Spectators must report any such use to the Director. In
any subsequent games the cube should be replaced on the
board and can be used prior to any legal throw, except the
opening roll. (5.2 Cube Set-Up).
5.6 Score Result
The final score should be reported to the Director or
someone appointed by him, by the winner immediately upon
completion of the match. It is the winner's responsibility
to check that the correct result is recorded and posted.
In the eventuality of an incorrect result being posted,
this may only be corrected if neither player has started
playing the next round.
6.0 Contentions
6.1 Disputes
When a dispute arises, both players must leave dice,
checkers, cube and score-sheet unchanged while the
Director is summoned. Violations in this area by either
player are most serious and create a presumption in favour
of the opponent.
6.2 Testimony
Any player may argue issues of fact or rule. Spectators,
except to report cheating, testify only at the Director's
request. Spectators are required to report any suspected
cheating, collusion or faulty equipment directly to a
tournament official and not to the players involved.
6.3 Appeals
A player may appeal against the Director's ruling but must
do so promptly, while timely redress may be obtained. To
resolve an appeal, the Director shall convene a committee
of three knowledgeable and disinterested players who shall
hear the testimony and all relevant arguments from all
parties and may overturn the Director's ruling by a
unanimous vote. The committee's decision is final and thus
exhausts the right to appeal.
