 |
|
||||||
Variations of Backgammon Rules – Part I
2008-08-21
Andy James
Andy James
Backgammon has a very unambiguous nature. Most of its rules are well understood and never disputed. The game is one of total information not like poker or bridge. Therefore, there is very little opportunity for misunderstanding or, thankfully, cheating. It is very difficult (though not impossible) to control the numbers that you roll.
Nevertheless, there are a few contentious areas of the game. The two areas that create more problems for players than any others are ' legal plays ' and ' premature rolls.
The backgammon rules say that you must play the numbers that you roll. But what if you misread the dice, play the wrong numbers and pick up your dice? The formal rules say that your opponent
As an example look at this position:
Black rolls 64 and thinking he is on the bar, picks up his dice without moving any checkers.
Red has every right to just roll the dice and play on despite the fact that black has just wasted one of his best rolls.
Many clubs and tournament directors play what is known as `legal moves only`. In this backgammon rule variation, the players must only make legal plays and they must point out illegal plays to each other and indeed any spectators are also allowed to point out illegal plays to either player.
The other contention area is ' premature rolls '. This is when one player rolls his dice before the other player has completed his move. Does the roll stand or must the offending player re-roll when the first player completes his move?
Both of these variations are used in money and tournament backgammon games . If the roll stands, the opponent can get a huge advantage. Let us consider this position:
Black is just deciding whether to pick and pass with 10/5*/3 or be bold with 10/5*, 13/11 when red prematurely rolls 43. Now black knows he can make the bold play.
This area is more difficult because an opponent who consistently rolls too soon is very annoying. Common sense says that all premature rolls should be avoided by making the player re-roll. The only exception should be in the bear-off when no further contact is possible. In this case premature rolls should be allowed to stand.
Just make sure you know which backgammon variation you are playing before you start.
