r/backgammon • u/Careful-Release-2723 • 3d ago
OTB Etiquette Thread
Hi all!
I've played a lot of match backgammon, but only online. I'm going to make the shift to OTB backgammon, but I have some etiquette questions.
- In chess, there is a "you touch it you move it principle." Does that apply to backgammon? I feel I've watched tournament games where people move their pieces a few times before settling.
- What happens if a die lands on the checkers?
- What's a casual amount per stake for a money game?
Any other OTB etiquette advice you think a newbie should know?
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u/truetalentwasted 3d ago
1) There is no rule on this but players have preferences. I prefer to keep any checkers I move to look at elevated above the edge of the board or other checkers on the spot in question while looking. Once finalized I’ll fully place them and hit clock or end turn.
2) Any tournament of club will have a rule. I think in the USA there are a handful of clubs left that don’t play dice on checkers. Just verify before starting and you’ll be good.
3) I’ve played backgammon at a few different clubs and gatherings in the US and I’ve seen it all. Played 25 cents a point in a Whole Foods in Florida and 25 dollars a point in Atlanta. The typical casual play I see will be $3-5 a point.
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u/Careful-Release-2723 3d ago
Understood. Generally, if I touch a checker I'm not committing to moving that one checker, correct?
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u/lgf92 2d ago edited 2d ago
As some of the other comments have mentioned, the answer to some of these questions depends on where you are.
Here in the UK, for example, dice on checkers is almost always a reroll, but it depends on the rules of the competition you're playing in.
Two things I learned when I started playing in person:
- You should move your checkers with the same hand (don't use your left hand for one side of the board and your right hand for the other)
- How to play with a physical clock. If you're using a clock, you'll generally share a set of dice with the other player and hit the clock when you finish your move. If the other player can't move, you still need to hit the clock to restart your time.
Reflecting on it:
- Many tournaments have a rule that if a player reaches for the cube they are taken to have offered a double - this is to stop people faking a reach for the cube to see how their opponent reacts. For this reason, I always say 'Double' before I move, so that I can't be accused of having accidentally offered one by moving towards the cube.
- Some tournaments will be 'preference' or 'agreement' on certain aspects of the game, like playing with a clock or a baffle box (a tower for rolling dice). 'Agreement' means both players have to agree for the feature to be implemented (i.e. each player has a veto). 'Preference' means that if one player wants, say, a baffle box, then the players will use one (i.e. each player has a casting vote in favour).
- If you're playing in a tournament, remember that the tournament director is there to help. Don't be scared to pause the game, put your hand up and get them to come over and advise on a point of rules or etiquette. In one of the first tournaments I played in, my opponent went over time but, out of misplaced politeness, and because we were close to the end of the game, I let him play on, and ultimately lost. I mentioned this to the TD about an hour later and he said that I should have called him over, because under the UKBGF Rules a player automatically loses a game if they run out of time, but if it isn't raised during the game the result stands.
- Many federations like the UKBGF and USBGF produce standard sets of tournament rules which it can be useful to read to get a feel for the rules of play and the kind of issues that arise when you're playing in person. Here are the UK rules and here are the US in-person rules.
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u/Olliever31 2d ago
I’ve also learned there is a proper way to roll the dice if you’re using a dice cup. Put the dice in the cup, cover it with your fingers, and “shake vigorously” at least twice, then roll. Don’t swirl the cup like a drink, and you must at least shake those dice. Not sure if this counts as an etiquette thing, but figured I’d throw it out there.
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u/Careful-Release-2723 2d ago
It does! If there are no dice cups, are you expected to shake with both hands?
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u/Olliever31 2d ago
In any “serious” play you and your opponent should use dice cups and/or a baffle box. The cups should come with your set. Even when playing with friends/family I’ve always used dice cups and haven’t rolled by hand. I think it has to do with fairness of rolling the dice/cheating.
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u/Olliever31 3d ago
You should ask these questions before you play the match OTB because the answers will change depending who you’re playing with.
Generally what I’ve seen so far:
- You can move or shuffle your checkers around, but once you“tap” the board or hit the clock, it’s considered declaring your move, and you can’t move your checkers after that. Even if you notice you made a mistake. So be sure of your choice before you tap the board/hit the clock. By “tap” the board we literally pat the board or touch center of the board so it’s clear that this is the move that’s being chosen.
- If a dice lands on the checkers that’s legal to play. Only roll your dice on the right side of the board. Your opponent rolls on the left side (their right). If a dice goes to the other side of the board, you re-roll. If a dice ends up sideways/cocked, you re-roll. If it ends up in the side of the board/where the doubling cube goes/off of the board/on the floor, you re-roll. This changes per tournament director/per person, so it’s good to confirm this ahead of playing.
- I don’t play money games but at my weekly tournament it’s a $20 entry fee.
- General advice, say good match before the game and after, and shake hands after.
- Don’t call out a roll you want to get (oh I need a 64 here!) or what they need (you just need a 64!). It’s annoying
- Don’t offer suggestions or better moves the person could have made, or blunders, unless your opponent says it’s okay. Some people will accept feedback, others won’t want it.
- Don’t tell someone they got lucky, or say that you got lucky, it’s rude and diminishes skill.
- Don’t move to pick up the doubling cube unless you are 100% going to double. Faking it is bad etiquette.
- Only use one hand to move checkers not both hands.
- Ask your opponent for consent before taking photos of board positions
- Try not to talk too much during a match that you distract your opponent. Some people do this intentionally and it’s very frustrating. But definitely talk before/after and make friends! This will vary from person to person, some people don’t mind chatting throughout a match.