As A Rule, I Say This ...
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS on the often tricky matter of fair and legal play
- By Michael Crane
LIKE ALL GOOD ORGANISATIONS Biba (The British Isles Backgammon Association) has a set of rules by which we all play. These rules are there to ensure fair play and to protect players against unscrupulous behaviour. All Biba members are given a copy of the Biba rules of play and they are always posted on the walls of the main tournament playing room.
Apart from the rules that relate to our own format and championships the rules of play are based mainly upon the U.S.A. Rules and Procedures with four differences. The four are:
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a. 2.2 Time: Biba has just altered this rule to a maximum of three, 3 minute recesses per 11 point match. The previous rule allowing one 3 minute break per point was far too generous and time consuming.
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b. 2.3 Penalty Points: Our penalty points start with the first one being awarded after being late for just 5 minutes. The U.S.A rule of starting after being late for 15 minutes simply encourages players to start playing 15 minutes after the official starting time. |
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c. 3.1 Equipment: Biba now allows for the use of baffle boxes within the rules giving them equal status with precision dice. |
d. 4.6 Premature Action: This is by far the biggest difference. Many years ago we adopted the ruling that all premature actions remain valid. Therefore, if your opponent rolls before you have completed your move you have the advantage of foresight and can alter your play accordingly.
Since it's inception this ruling has resulted in hardly any contentions regarding premature actions, whereas prior to this ruling we had a lot of arguments about rolls being valid/invalid. I am surprised that the Biba rule on premature actions hasn't been taken on by the rest of the backgammon world.
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The purpose of this feature is to answer your questions on rules and tournament play etc. As this is the first article I have drawn examples from the Biba newsletter, Bibafax, to get the ball rolling.
Paul Orton queries a couple of points:
Q: Please can you tell me how the rules stand if, on the opening throw of a game, one die lands on the wrong side of the board, or is cocked? Should both dice be thrown again, or just the dodgy one?
A: Just the dodgy one. See rule 4.2 Valid Rolls.
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Q: I throw 6-3 with a blot on my 5-point, and two men on my two point, and my opponent has a man on the bar. (An unlikely situation, but you never know!). In the past I would have moved the blot 3, then off with the 6. However a recent opponent claimed that under the rules I am obliged to use as much of each throw as I can, therefore would have to take the 5 off, and leave a blot on the 2-point. What is the actual ruling on this?
A: You are correct and I have no idea what rules your opponent was playing to! As long as you legally play the entire roll you can choose which die to move first. An exception to this is when you can move (for example) a 6 or a 3 but not both of them, you must then always move the higher die.
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Roy Hollands raises an interesting - and disturbing - point about cube-play:
Q: At a recent NPBS tournament you told me that picking up the doubling cube, or even touching it, constituted a double. This bothered me and I checked the Monte Carlo rules and found it was not so. I even had a Monte Carlo ruling when I picked up the cube, put it to my opponent and then changed my mind: the arbiter said I could take it back.
I have just found your rules in Bibafax 37 and they agree with the Monte Carlo ones. Quote, 'saying clearly "double" or words to that effect.' Thus if "double" is not yet said the opponent cannot claim the double is in effect.
Many players take up the cube and polish it ready for action. In an important match a player might quote you and insist on the double, thus creating an awkward situation for all concerned.
A: The rules on Cube Handling 5.4, are partially as stated above, however they go a little further and state: 'Care should be exercised when handling the cube as either verbal or physical acts might be interpreted as cube actions by an opponent.' ... meaning that as soon as you make a move on the cube you are initiating a cube action and an opponent could say, 'drop' or 'take'.
You would then call me over and you'd have to explain your action regarding the cube. Why did you reach for it or pick it up etc.? One must be very careful when considering using the cube and I am very surprised at your being allowed to change your mind.
My advice, to keep things straightforward, is not to touch the cube unless you mean to use it. Polishing it is not an option! Players that seek an advantage by 'testing the water' by reaching for or picking up the cube must be discouraged from doing so.
- Michael Crane
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DO YOU HAVE A query regarding rules or procedures? If so please send them to backgammon@msoworld.com
and I'll do my best to answer them. If you prefer to remain anonymous please state so when submitting your query. |
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