TABLE SETTINGS
All Backgammon tables should be "protected", and the match length should be set per tourney instructions. Never set tables to "private" without the TD's permission, as theTD must have access to tables without invitation.
Eliters Backgammon tourneys are played at rated tables. Any exceptions to this rule are noted on the Tourney page.
The table match points settings for individual tournaments will vary, depending on the desired length of the tourney and its entry fee. As a rule, higher fees tourneys will have higher Matches points. Typical tourneys range from 2 to 5 points rounds.
It is permitted to have Blitzes (1 point Matches), multi-point rounds, and Multi-Days tournaments. Some tournaments are "progressive"; the rounds points increase as the tourney advances. It is also common to have tourneys in which the finals are played to a higher point total than the other rounds.
TOURNEY FORMATS
Doubling is allowed in all Eliters Backgammon Tourneys, except in 1point games (Blitzes) and where noted in the Tourney rules. If a player doubles in a 1point game, the players should call the TD to the table. Often, this is a mistake with no malicious intent. In most circumstances, the TD will have the player accept the Cube and continue playing the game. If the Cube was rejected, the TD will instruct the players to restart the game.
If after repeated cubes in 1-point games, or if the TD determines the use of the cube was not an accident and was done to try to trick the opponent into resigning, the TD may choose to DQ the player who offered the cube.
In a doubled match, the winner receives as many points as the number showing on the cube. Should a doubled game end in gammon, twice the value of the cube is awarded. In the case of backgammon, triple the value of the cube is awarded.
A player's turn is officially over when the dice are passed to the opponent. Therefore, it is highly recommended to turn-off Auto Pass.
Crawford Game (Crawford Rule): The Crawford Game is used in backgammon match play the first time a player gets within 1 point of winning the match. On the next game the doubling cube cannot be used. However on subsequent games the cube is again available for use. Named after its inventor John R. Crawford.
By Yahoo! default, and by Eliters rules, the "Crawford Rule" restricts the use of the cube. The Crawford rule states that you may not double in the first game after your opponent reaches match point. Match Point is defined as "within one point of winning the match".
Within the constraints of Crawford, either player may choose to double the stakes of the game at any time before rolling the dice by turning the cube to 2 (clicking the "Double" button) and offering it to the opponent. Opponent may reject, conceding a single point and beginning the next game of the match, or accept, taking control of the cube as the game continues at double stakes (2 pts). A player who controls the cube may redouble at any time by turning the cube to the next higher number (from 2 to 4, from 4 to 8, etc) and offering it to the opponent, who has the same choices as defined above.
The following formats are approved for Eliters Backgammon Yahoo! tourneys:
- Regular: Doubling allowed for match points greater than 1 (Crawford Rule)
- Regular - Best 2 of 3: Player must win 2 of 3 matches to advance. Doubling allowed for match points greater than 1 (Crawford Rule)
Player must win two out of three Matches to advance. Round Matches can be 1-point or 2-points, and will be specified on the tourney page. The doubling cube is NOT allowed in 1-point Matches, and any use of cube is an automatic loss of that Match. In 2-point Matches, the cube is allowed and encouraged.
- No Hit, No Bear Off: First to hit or bear off loses and must resign for single stakes - Unrated Tables
The player making the first hit or being the first to take pieces off the table must offer a Resign to complete the game.
If the tourney is multiple points, only a Resign for Single is needed and the game can proceed to the next point in the match. In the event of a question or problem, the TD should be invited to the table before the game proceeds.
- No Hit: First to hit loses and must resign for single stakes - Unrated Tables
The player making the first hit must offer a Resign to complete the game. If none of the players Hits, the player bearing the pieces off the table is declared the winner as a regular game.
If the tourney is multiple points, only a Resign for Single is needed and the game can proceed to the next point in the match. In the event of a question or problem, the TD should be invited to the table before the game proceeds.
- Full House: Block all 6 spots in Home & Win; otherwise regular BG. Must complete turn for Full House to count - Unrated tables
Block all 6 spots in home; after completing your turn, and you automatically win. If your opponent has a full house, you must resign for single stakes - otherwise regular BG.
- Snake in Grass: Opponent has 3 or more adjacent spots covered by single checkers; Hit 'snake' and lose; otherwise Regular BG - Unrated Tables
Opponent has 3 or more adjacent spots covered by single checkers. Hit "snake", you lose and must resign for single stakes - otherwise regular BG.
- Loser Wins: Regular BG except the first to finish bearing off loses - Unrated Tables
- Team Play: Tag Team Partners
Yahoo! Backgammon does not support team play. Eliters Backgammon, however, holds tournaments in both individual and team formats. For Partner Select (PS) formatted tourney, if you do not already have a partner lined up, please be at the tourney room at least 15 minutes prior to posted start time to arrange a partner.
Backgammon Team Tourneys use the following rules:
- All 4 players play in one room, sequentially.
- Tables are set to 1 point games. Match score is kept on paper.
- The first team to 3 points wins the match.
- Doubling is not allowed in the first game of each match, and the cube may be used thereafter as Crawford rule permits (See above). Gammons are worth double stakes; backgammons are worth triple stakes.
- Each team member must play at least one game of the match, unless a backgammon ends the match after the first game. In other words, if X and Y are playing A and B, and X plays A in the first game, then Y must play B in the second game. In the third and any subsequent games, any pairings are acceptable.
How to Play Backgammon at Yahoo!
For help on How to Play Backgammon at Yahoo! (including rules of the game, its history and background), visit:
http://games.yahoo.com/games/helphub.html?page=bg
For general help on all Yahoo! Games, visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/games/ |
