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A US Backgammon Tournament rule query from R.G.B.
Posted By: Phil Simborg In Response To: A US Backgammon Tournament rule query from R.G.B. (Michael Petch)
Date: Sunday, 3 February 2013, at 12:58 p.m.
There are three answers to your question:
1. What the rule says: the rule says the other player can accept the illegal play and leave the checker on the bar, even though it was an illegal move.
2. How the rule is interpreted: that depends on the players and tournament directors. Many believe that in the spirit of good sportsmanship, this rule should not apply. Others, like myself, believe that if we have a clear rule, and it is stated clearly, the players should not be left to decide whether or not to enforce the rule. Even though I want to be fair and a good sport, if I allow my opponent to correct a stupid mistake that the rules say he can and should be punished for, and I don't do it, then I am not doing all I can within the rules to win. I owe it to the tournament, to my calcutta teammates, and out of respect for the rules I agreed to play by, to live up to the rules and expect others to do the same. As much as I hate this rule, and many others, I will abide by the rules and so should my opponent. If I don't use and enforce this rule as stated, then where should I draw the line on other rules? Should I let him fast roll? Should I let him lift the cube and change his mind? Should I let him pick up the dice and then decide to make another move? I hate this rule, it stinks, and so do many others the way they are written, but I will respect the rules and expect my opponents to do the same.
3. What SHOULD happen? Any good tournament director who knows, in advance, that one or more of his rules is not in good keeping with the kind of good sportsmanship and game that we want to have, but doesn't amend those specific rules accordingly, is not doing a service to the game. Just because the ABT or other organizations have failed, after years and years of experience seeing why this and many other rules are inferior, to amend the rules, doesn't mean that each individual tournament director must continue to do the same. The ABT and other rules allow the TD to make changes, especially in the interest of fair play and good sportsmanship. Why they don't do it, I will never know.
The new rules that Jeb and Chuck and I have proposed would solve this problem, and many others were we, as players and directors, are forced to make rulings that go against good sportsmanship and fair play. Our rules are far from perfect, and I am sure they can be improved, but I challenge anyone to create a clearer, fairer set of rules that does what we all want: provide guidelines and rules for a fair, enjoyable game that stresses good sportsmanship and leaves room to penalize those who violate those concepts.
A complete set of our recommended rules and guide can be found at
http://www.bkgm.com/articles/BowerHortonSimborg/RulesAndStandardsGuide/index.html
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