General Rules

18. Juni 2024

Tournament Rules WBA/EBGT

Edition 3.0 – January 2024 - updated

1. Proprieties
2. Regulations
3. Preparation
4. The Game
5. Disputes

1. Proprieties

1.1 Interpretation

These tournament rules cannot and are not meant to cover every possible situation that might arise during the course of a match. They are not a substitute for the tournament director's judgement and right to find a fair solution, suitable for the specific circumstances.

1.2 Scope

BACKGAMMON RULES: The rules of backgammon approved by the WBA/EBGT board must be used in all tournaments approved by the board. Tournament directors and/or players must not use rules other than the current rules of backgammon.
TOURNAMENT RULES: The current tournament rules apply to all tournaments approved by the EBGT and tournament directors and players must not use rules other than these.
ETIQUETTE:
1. In general: Tournament directors and players are expected to behave in the spirit of the game exhibiting good sportsmanship and considerate behaviour at all times.
2. Handling of equipment: Players must handle the equipment in a suitable manner. Inappropriate handling may result in disqualification.
PENALTIES: A player in violation of § 1.2, subsections 1-3 may be disqualified and excluded from the tournament. In special cases the player may be temporarily barred from future tournaments. A tournament director in violation of § 1.2, subsections 1-3 may be banned from acting as a tournament director.

1.3 Staff

TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS: The tournament must be supervised by one or more skilled and impartial tournament directors.
RULING COMMITTEE: A tournament committee can be formed as needed according to § 5.2. The committee should comprise either three or five knowledgeable and impartial backgammon players. A tournament director connected to the tournament can not be a member of the ruling committee.
OBSERVERS: The tournament director can, on his or her own initiative, or at the request of a player, appoint someone to monitor the match. The monitor has the authority to protect the player from illegalities. The tournament director has the right to charge a fee from the players, when an observer is appointed.

1.4 Registration

APPROVAL: All players who sign up for a tournament must be approved by the tournament director. A player may be excluded without explanation.
ASSIGNMENT TO HIGHER FLIGHTS: In tournaments held with more than one flight, a player may be barred from a lower flight and be placed in a higher flight.
REPORT: When a tournament director refuses entry to a player in accordance with § 1.4, subsection 1, or places a player in a higher flight in accordance with §1.4, subsection 2, this fact must be reported to WBA/EBGT/board by the tournament director immediately after the completion of the tournament. The report must explain the reasons for the ruling.

1.5 Languages

The official language of international tournaments is English. While a match is in progress players and/or spectators are not permitted to speak in anything but the official language, English.

1.6 Spectators

IN GENERAL: Spectators must observe the match in silence. Spectators may not direct attention to mistakes in the game nor comment on the game. In cases of cheating, spectators may alert the tournament director.
SIGNALLING AND OTHER FORMS OF OUTSIDE HELP: When a match is in progress, spectators are not allowed to signal or help the players in any way.
PENALTIES: Violation of § 1.6, subsections 1-2 may result in expulsion of the spectators involved. In special cases the spectators may be temporarily barred from participating in and/or watching future tournaments.
REQUESTS: A player may make a request to the tournament director, that one or more spectators be barred from watching the match.
REPORTS: When a tournament director has disqualified and/or excluded a spectator in accordance with § 1.6, subsection 3, the fact must be reported to the WBA/EBGT board by the tournament director immediately after the completion of the tournament. The report must explain the reasons for the ruling.

1.7 Aids, signalling and other forms of outside help

IN GENERAL: When a match is in progress, a player is not permitted to use electronic, mechanical, written or other aids other than those necessary to keep score. A player may use position cards, headphones, a cell phone, camera or the like, if the opponent accepts it in each instance. The tournament director can revoke this permission at any time. In matches played without the use of a game clock, position cards must be used after the end of the player's turn. In matches played with game clock players are allowed to record matches and positions and/or take pictures of positions in their own time. The position must be written down in the player's own time. When the writing of the position has commenced, the move may not be changed.
SIGNALLING AND OTHER FORMS OF OUTSIDE HELP: When a match is in progress, players are not allowed to receive signals or help in any other way from the spectators.
PENALTIES: Violation of § 1.7, subsections 1-2 may result in disqualification and expulsion of the player. In special cases the player may be temporarily barred from participation in future tournaments.
REQUESTS: A player may make a request to the tournament director that the remaining part of the match be overseen by a monitor.
REPORTS: When a tournament director has disqualified and/or expelled a player in accordance with § 1.7, subsection 3, the fact must be reported to the WBA/EBGT board by the tournament director immediately after the completion of the tournament. The report must explain the reasons for the ruling.

2. Regulations

2.1 Place

All matches must be played in the tournament area designated by the tournament director. A player may demand that a match is played in a non-smoking area if such exists.

2.2 Starting times and breaks

STARTING TIMES: All matches must begin at the scheduled times.
BREAKS: A player is entitled to a number of 5 minutes breaks in matches of minimum 7 points. In matches up to 11 points: one break. In matches of 13-17 points and more: two breaks. In matches of 17 points and more: three breaks. Breaks are held between games. Breaks can be held back to back. This may be done either by one player combining several of his or her permitted breaks or by both players combining their breaks. Any situation when a player leaves the board is considered to be a break unless doing so is a necessary part of the game. When playing best of three matches to 3-7 points breaks are only allowed between the matches. Using the game clock, breaks are added to the total bank time of the players, who may or may not use their break(s) and decide on the length of those. The clock is NOT stopped during breaks and the time is running. When the player on break returns and his opponent is not at the board, he must press the clock while waiting for his opponent. If both players are on break and have stopped the clock, they both will be deducted 5 minutes of their total bank time. Point penalties may be given in case of repetition.
EXEMPTIONS: In special cases the tournament director may make an exemption from § 2.2, subsections 1-2, if particular concerns to one or both players warrant this. In matches of special importance the tournament director can make exemptions from § 2.2, subsections 1-2.
PENALTIES: Violation of the rules for starting times and breaks will result in penalty points. If a player is not present and has not started the match 5 minutes after the starting time, one penalty point is awarded. Subsequently a further penalty point is awarded for each subsequent 5 minutes delay. When a player has been awarded penalty points corresponding to more than half of the length of the match, the late player loses the match. Players leaving the tournament area for more than 10 minutes must make sure they have permission from the tournament director before doing so to avoid sanctions. If a player is awarded penalty points and the match is played with a game clock after the start, the game is considered to be in progress and the time is calculated in accordance with § 3.5, subsection 6. If a game clock is used and both players are not present at the start of the match, both their time will be deducted according to their delays. If one player is present and the opponent is missing at the scheduled start of a match, the tournament director has to be notified and will order the start of the clock after a 5 minutes time allowance.

2.3 Slow play

PENALTIES: If the tournament director considers that a match is being played at an unreasonably slow pace, the following sanctions may be used:
1. The remainder of the match is played using a game clock. See § 3.5.6.
2. A warning. If the slow pace persists, penalty points may be awarded.
REQUESTS: A player may make a request to the tournament director, that the remainder of the match is played using a game clock or that an observer is appointed to monitor the match.

2.4 Random and valid dice

PENALTIES: If the tournament director considers a player to be in violation of § 4.1, subsection 1 or § 4.1, subsection 4, no. 1, he or she may rule that the remainder of the match has to be played using a baffle box.
REQUESTS: A player may make a request to the tournament director that the remainder of the match is played using a baffle box or that an observer is appointed to monitor the match.

3. Preparation

3.1 The board

If it is available, a player can demand that the board, when opened, is a minimum of 44 cm by 55 cm and a maximum of 66 cm by 88 cm. If such a board is only available after the match is started, a player can demand that the board is replaced at that time. The board can be replaced only between games. All dice and doubling cubes not in use must be removed from the board before the start of the match. The use of official tournament equipment, if provided and available, has priority over personal equipment.

3.2 Cups

If they are available, a player can demand that cups with an interior lip are used in preference to those without an interior lip. If cups with an interior lip are available only after the match is started, a player can demand that the cups in use are replaced at that time.

3.3 The dice

IN GENERAL: If they are available a player can demand that precision dice are used in preference to other dice. If precision dice are only available after the match is started, the player can demand that the dice are replaced at that time.
IN MATCHES PLAYED WITHOUT THE USE OF A GAME CLOCK: The players must select four dice. These must be used for the entire match, except for situations as described in § 3.3, subsection 1 and § 3.7, subsection 1. Each player must use two dice.
IN MATCHES PLAYED WITH THE USE OF A GAME CLOCK: The players must select four dice. These must be used for the entire match, except for situations as described in § 3.3, subsection 1 and § 3.7, subsection 1. Only two dice are in use in each game. Four dice must be present at the board though, so that a change of dice is possible.

3.4 Baffle box

SITUATIONS: Backgammon matches involving the use of a baffle box may occur as an option, preference, obligation or penalty.
1. Option: In any tournament the players can choose to play the match using a baffle box if both parties agree to use it.
2. Preference: A player may demand that the match is played using baffle box, if it is announced in the tournament invitation that the tournament, or parts thereof, is to be held with a preference for baffle boxes.
3. Obligation: Players are obligated to play the match using baffle box, if it is announced in the tournament invitation that the tournament, or parts thereof, is held with an obligation to use baffle boxes.
4. In any tournament the players are obligated to play the match using a baffle box, if the tournament director requests it.
EXEMPTIONS: In special cases the tournament director may make exemptions from § 3.4, subsection 1 no. 2-3, if special concerns to one or both players warrant such exemptions.
CONSTRUCTION AND APPROVAL: The baffle box must be properly constructed. If a player demands that the baffle box be approved by the tournament director, it must be approved before the match can be started.
PLACING: If a baffle box is in use, it must be placed opposite to the home boards of the players.

3.5 Game clocks

SITUATIONS. Backgammon matches with the use of a game clock may occur as an option, preference, obligation or penalty.
1. Option: In any tournament the players may choose to play the match using a game clock if both parties agree to it.
2. Preference: A player can demand that the match is played using a game clock, if it is announced in the tournament invitation, that the tournament, or parts thereof, is held with a preference for game clocks.
3. Obligation: Players must play the match using game clocks, if it is announced in the tournament invitation, that the tournament, or parts thereof, is held with an obligation for game clocks.
4. Penalty: In any tournament the players are obligated to play the remainder of a match in progress using a game clock, if the tournament director makes such a ruling in accordance with § 2.3.
5. The tournament director can demand that a match is played using a game clock at any time.
EXEMPTIONS: In special cases the tournament director may make exemptions from § 3.5, subsection 1 no. 2-3, if special concerns to one or both players warrant this.
CONSTRUCTION AND APPROVAL: The game clock must be properly constructed. If a player demands for the game clock to be approved by the tournament director, it must be approved before the match can be started.
PLACING: If a game clock is in use, it must by default be placed on the same side as the home boards of the players. If both players agree to put it on the other side this is acceptable.
SETTING THE GAME CLOCK: All matches played using game clocks must use Bronstein time. Each player is allotted 2 minutes per point of the match (match time). In addition to this each player is allowed 12 seconds delay before the match time commences (delay time). The 12 seconds of delay time cannot be accumulated.
TIME CONTROL: In a match played using game clocks in situations such as those referred to in § 3.5, subsection 1, no. 1-4 each player is allotted a certain number of minutes according to the length of the match. The number of minutes allotted is calculated as RA+RB, where RA is the number of points lacking for player A to win the match and RB is the number of points lacking for player B to win the match.

3.6 Preferences

Preferences such as seating, direction of play, choice of board, checkers, dice, baffle box or game clock are determined by the throw of the dice before the start of the match if this proves to be necessary.

3.7 Change of equipment

IN GENERAL: The tournament director can change the equipment being used at any time. The players are only allowed to change the equipment in use in a match in progress, if the equipment is defective, or if they are in agreement or under the provisions of § 3.1, § 3.2 or §3.3, subsection 1.
PARTICULARLY FOR GAME CLOCKS: A game clock with obvious errors must be replaced immediately. The tournament director must set the time on the substitute game clock according to his or her best estimate.

3.8 Notation and filming

The tournament director can, on his or her own initiative, or at the request of a player, allow the match to be recorded. Match recording can be done manually and/or put directly in a computer, or per camera recording. If the recording is requested by a player, the equipment or the person to record the match must be provided and approved by the tournament director and/or the ruling committee. Match recording per camera is optional, unless expressly demanded by the Tournament Director (live-stream purposes). If both players can´t agree on the use of a camera, they roll for the decision.

4. The Game

4.1 Dice and throws

RANDOM DICE: The dice are a means to obtain random numbers ranging from 1 to 6. Any other use of the dice is a violation of the rules and the spirit of backgammon.
HANDLING OF THE DICE: Touching the dice while they are on the board is prohibited. However, a player may move his or her own dice to make room for moving the checkers after notifying the opponent of this.
CHANGE OF DICE: A player can demand that all four dice are mixed before any game of the match. In that case the player demanding the mixing must shake all four dice in a cup and roll them. Then the players take turns selecting dice, starting with the player that did not demand the mixing.
VALID ROLLS.
1. In matches played without a baffle box. A valid roll consists of the dice being shaken in a cup, and then rolled out of the cup not touching the player's hand and the cup not touching the board, so that the dice may tumble and roll freely. After the roll, both dice must be lying flat on the board to the roller's right of the bar, otherwise the roll must be redone. If the opponent has given his or her permission, the dice may be rolled to the roller's left of the bar. A player who has obtained permission to throw to the left of the bar may only throw to the right of the bar after notifying the opponent of this. Permission to throw to the left of the bar expires when such notice is made or when the game is played to the end.
2. In matches played using baffle box. A valid roll consists of the dice being shaken in a cup, and then rolled out of the cup and into the baffle box not touching the player's hand. After the roll, both dice must be lying flat on the board to the right of the bar, otherwise the roll must be redone.
PREMATURE ACTION.
1. In general: If a player rolls the dice before the opponent has finished his or her turn, the roll may only be rerolled if the opponent demands so.
2. In matches using a game clock: If player B picks up the dice before player A has ended his or her turn, player B is given a warning. If the premature action is repeated the player is assigned a time penalty of 30 seconds. Player A makes his or her claim of the time penalty by finishing his or her turn, then stopping the game clock and presenting the fact to player B. When player B has accepted the fact, the penalty is executed by player A starting the game clock in player B's time. After the countdown of the delay time and the assigned 30 seconds of game time, player B presses the game clock, and then Player A presses the game clock. Now player B is ready to commence his or her turn. If Player A has less than 30 seconds on the clock the clock is set to 1 second. If the premature action is repeated after the clock is set to 1 second the match is lost.
END OF TURN.
1. In matches played without the use of a game clock: The player ends his or her turn by lifting either or both of his or her dice.
2. In matches played using a game clock: The player ends his or her turn by pressing the button on his or her side of the game clock. If the opponent will not be able to make a valid move or turn the cube, the player must still end his or her turn by pressing the button. The dice may not be picked up, because the opponent will have to use them. If the dice have been picked up anyway and the player has activated the opponent's time on the game clock, the game clock may be stopped and the opponent may roll the dice and move or consider doubling without the clock being started.

4.2 Checkers and moves

MOVES: The players must move clearly and use only one hand to move the checkers. Checkers on the bar must be re-entered into play before any other checker may be moved.
HANDLING OF CHECKERS: A player may not touch his or her own checkers or the opponent's checkers during the opponent's turn. Checkers that have been hit must remain on the bar until they can be re-entered into the game in a legal manner. Checkers borne off must be kept away from the board until the end of the game.
ILLEGAL MOVES:
1. If an illegal move is noticed before the opponent has rolled his dice it must be corrected. Only the two players and tournament officials are allowed to point out an illegal move.
2. Undoing of illegal moves in matches played without the use of game clock: Demands for undoing are made by presenting the opponent with the fact. Once the opponent has accepted the fact the dice must be replaced on the board showing the correct value and the move must be remade.
3. Undoing of illegal moves in matches played with a game clock: Demands for undoing are made by stopping the game clock and presenting the opponent with the fact. Once the opponent has accepted the fact, the opponent's time must be restarted on the game clock. When the delay time has run out, the opponent may make a legal move.
4. Repeated illegal moves may result in a warning. If the player continues to make illegal moves, penalty points may be awarded.
ERRORS IN THE STARTING POSITION: If an error in the starting position is noticed after the player starting the game has commenced his second turn, the starting position is valid in spite of the error. Therefore a player starting with less than 15 checkers can still lose a gammon or backgammon. An error noticed before the player starting the game has commenced his second turn must be corrected in accordance with the correct starting position, if possible.
Players may not, in an uncontrolled manner, move their checkers back and forth across the board in order to test new positions. Players are recommended to place the checkers at least 2 centimetres above the checker/checkers that are already in the intended point or on the edge of the board if the intended point is empty.

4.3 Game clocks

HANDLING OF THE GAME CLOCK: Players must press, stop and start the game clock with the same hand used for moving the checkers.
STOPPING THE GAME CLOCK: Stopping the game clock is only allowed in the following eight situations:
1. When a game has been played to the end.
2. When a die falls to the floor.
3. When the tournament director is called.
4. When a player has picked up the dice before the opponent has ended his turn in accordance with § 4.1, subsection 5, no. 2.
5. When a player has picked up the dice and started his opponent's time in accordance with § 4.1, subsection 6, no. 2.
6. When a player demands that an illegal move or presumed illegal move is remade in accordance with § 4.2, subsection 3, no. 3.
7. When player A thinks that the game is settled. If player B concurs, the players note down the result of the game and the next game can be started. If player B disagrees, the tournament director is called to settle the disagreement. If player B is right he or she is awarded 2 minutes of extra time, the game clock is restarted and the game is played to conclusion.
TIME HAS RUN OUT: The time is considered to have run out when one of the players or the tournament director realises that it has run out. If the time of one of the players has run out, the game clock is stopped and the tournament director is called. The player whose time has run out has lost the match. If the time has run out for both players and it is not possible to determine which of the players first ran out of time, the remainder of the match must be played to its end without the use of the game clock. An exception to this is the "gin" situation. If the player whose time has run out is certain to win the match, no matter what is rolled in the remainder of the game, including an already rolled legal throw, the player is still declared the winner of the match.

4.4 Doubling cube

PLACING OF THE DOUBLING CUBE: It is the responsibility of both players that at the start of each game the doubling cube is placed in the centre between the two players with the '1' or '64' facing up. If the doubling cube has not been placed in the centre, it must be placed in the centre as soon as the players notice the error. An exception to this is the Crawford game, when the doubling cube must be removed from the board entirely.
DOUBLING: The players may use the doubling cube on their turn. It must be used before any throw of the dice though, and therefore cannot be used after an invalid roll. A player doubles by turning the doubling cube and placing it on the board, so that the cube is showing the doubling level directly above the previous level and saying the words "I double" or the like. In matches played using a game clock, the player must also press the button on his or her side of the game clock, so that the opponent is considering the double on his or her own time. The doubling cube must be considered with care, since both verbal and physical acts can be interpreted as doubling, even if a player has not touched the cube. A player must clearly express prior to acting that he is going to remove the cube without the intention of doubling, otherwise the act is considered as doubling.
ACCEPTING/PASSING A DOUBLE: In games played with 2 sets of dice and without using the game clock, players accept a double by moving the doubling cube to their side of the board. The doubling cube must then be placed within the limits of the board, visible to both players, on the side of the player being doubled. The double is passed by saying "I pass" or the like. A player must clearly express prior to acting that he is going to remove the cube without the intention of taking or passing, otherwise the act of touching the cube is considered as accepting. In games played with 1 set of dice and using the game clock, passing is valid, either by verbal act or by placing the cube in the middle and stopping the game clock, accepting the cube is valid by taking and placing the cube on the accepting player´s side of the board or verbal action confirming the "take" and pressing the game clock. After a pass, the scoreboard is updated and the next game is started.
CRAWFORD RULE: The Crawford rule applies to all matches. In the first game in which one of the players is exactly one point away from winning the match, neither of the players can use the doubling cube. If a player doubles in the Crawford game, the double is annulled in the following situations. 1) If the game is in progress. When a double is annulled in a game in progress, the game is continued without the use of the doubling cube. 2) If the game has ended, but the next game has not yet started. When a double is annulled between games the scorecards of the players are corrected so that the point totals equal the number of points that would have been correct without the use of the doubling cube. 3) If the game in which the double was made was the last game of the match. When a double is annulled after the end of the match the scorecards of the players are corrected so that the point totals equals the number of points that would have been correct without the use of the doubling cube and the match is resumed. The tournament director is obligated to intervene if he is informed that a Crawford game has been doubled so that the double can be annulled.
PREMATURE ACTION: If a player doubles before the end of the opponent's turn, the double stands in effect if it is otherwise valid. The opponent is then entitled to finish his turn knowing that the opponent will be doubling.
DOUBLES TO WRONG LEVELS: If a player doubles or accepts/passes a double at a wrong level, the double or acceptance/pass is still valid, but the level of the doubling cube must be corrected, so that it is consistent with what would have been a correct double.
DEAD CUBES: A player cannot double beyond the number of points still needed to win a match.

4.5 Completion

All games and matches must be played to the end, unless brought to an end by the pass of a double or a player running out of time, if the match is played using a game clock. A player with no contact can accept the loss of a single point, a gammon or backgammon, though. Except for this situation the players are not allowed to agree on the outcome of points, of a game or a match. All matches must be played to the appointed number of points. The first player to reach the official length of the match will be declared the winner of it, regardless of what has been deliberately or accidentally agreed among both players. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification of one or both players. In special cases the players involved may be temporarily barred from future tournaments.

4.6 Reporting of the results

The winner must report the results of the match to the tournament director immediately after the end of the match and bring back the borrowed equipment, such as dice set and clock. The tournament director verifies the result and announces it on the tournament board. If a faulty result has been announced it can be corrected as long as the correction is made within a reasonable time, and neither of the players has started a subsequent match in the tournament.

4.7 Scorekeeping

Both players must keep an ongoing record of the score of the match and announce to each other the score of the match before each game. Before the start of the Crawford game, the players must announce the fact that it is the Crawford game to each other. If the players agree to do so, it is permitted to use a scoreboard that shows the length of the match, the score, the status of Crawford and such. Scoreboards must be used if the tournament director demands it. The players may keep the score on individual scorecards when a scoreboard is in use. It is the duty of both players to double-check both score-sheets / score-board before start and after completion of each game. In case of non-resolvable dispute about the score, the score-sheet of the trailing player in the match will be valid. During a break, it is both players´resonsibility to mark down the score and the remaining time of both players.

5. Disputes

5.1 Complaints

If a dispute arises between two players, they must leave dice, checkers, doubling cube, scorecards and other things untouched, while calling for the tournament director to settle the dispute. If a game clock is in use, it must be stopped. If one of the players is also the tournament director, the dispute must be settled by another tournament director attached to the tournament. If no other tournament director is attached to the tournament, the dispute must be settled according to § 5.2.

5.2 Appeals

The players can appeal the decision of the tournament director, but this must be done immediately, while reversal of the decision is still possible. The appeal must be immediately processed by a tournament committee. The tournament committee can reverse the decision of the tournament director by a simple majority. This rule exhausts the player's right to appeals.

5.3 Non-compliance with the tournament rules

Non- compliance with the current tournament rules will put the party who failed to follow the rules at a disadvantage in the case of a dispute.

5.4 Testimonies

The tournament director as well as the tournament committee is obligated to collect relevant testimonies and statements. A player is always entitled to argue the facts and debate points concerning the rules. Spectators, except to report cheating, may testify only at the tournament director's request.

5.5 The player's reporting rights

A player can report the decision of the tournament committee to the WBA/EBGT board, according to established guidelines, in order for a principle ruling to be made and a precedent on the matter to be established. The WBA/EBGT board can impose sanctions by authority of the current tournament rules or other rules.

5.6 The reporting duties of the tournament director and the tournament committee

Any decision in a dispute must be reported to the WBA/EBGT board immediately after the completion of the tournament. The report must contain a description of the course of events and the reasons for the ruling.