Backgammon

Backgammon tournament rules

Backgammon, the game of skill, luck and intuition has reached the zenith of its popularity today.
This is mainly due to the vast array of tournaments and competitions that are taking place all over the world.

In the beginning, backgammon used to be played as per the rules of the host country. As the game has stretched its wings worldwide, the standardization of the rules and regulations has become inevitable. The rules have undergone several changes before finally reaching standardization in the year 1990.

The tradition of backgammon is that the number of matches played in tournaments is always odd. Matches generally start at 9 and may be increased to 13 or 15 matches. The more the merrier for the strategic experts.

There is a clear-cut guideline regarding even the recess between two games, which is 5 minutes (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 may have different recess time at the discretion of the director.

The dice should be thrown correctly for bounce and roll. The reading can be taken only when both dice have landed and are rested flat on the board. Handling of checkers should be done very neatly. Any illegal move of the opponent should immediately be brought into the notice of the director.

According to the United States Backgammon Tournament Rules & Procedures, a gammon or backgammon does not necessitate double and at the final stage as 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 and liable to all.

Special Rules

Jacoby Rule

The Jacoby Rule is named after the late great gamesman Oswald Jacoby. Jacoby rule states that gammon and backgammon will come into effect, if and only if the player has announced a double and is accepted by the opponent. The Jacoby Rule is mostly applied in Money games to encourage a player for higher points in a game of double. This brings speed to the game, where the player never waits for the gammon or backgammon; rather he announces a double for amassing faster points. Jacoby rules are applicable essentially for money play but hardly used in Match play.

Crawford Rule

The Crawford rule is named after John R. Crawford. When either of the players is one point from victory then the opponent cannot announce a double in the subsequent game. In this particular game where double is prohibited, is called the Crawford game. Scientifically, even if a double is announced and accepted by the player approaching victory, it will be nullified because point 1 or 2 can create hardly any difference for him. Rather the double may benefit the opponent who is losing. If the Crawford game remains indecisive in terms of a final win or loss then all the rules of double and redouble will be back in place from the subsequent games. This rule has been accepted worldwide. Even United States Backgammon Tournament Rules & Procedures follow Crawford rule at the closing stage of any tournament.

Holland Rule

It is an extension of the Crawford rule where the rule says that after the Crawford game, the trailer can announce a double after completion of two valid rolls of both the players. The Holland rule could not sustain in the long run because of its confusing nature and complexity in implementation.

Jacoby Rules and Crawford Rules are followed even in the online games today. The online competitors declare their special terms and conditions (if any) in their site very clearly for the convenience of the players, because you may find many players from different parts of the world are playing simultaneously in the same game.

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