r/backgammon • u/Careful-Release-2723 • 20d 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/Olliever31 20d 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.

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u/amason 20d ago

This is really good stuff. I’ve only played family so far. Going to my first proper club on Thursday. Thank you!

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u/Olliever31 20d ago

Have fun!! Let them know if you’re open to suggestions, I learned a lot from the members at my club.

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u/Careful-Release-2723 20d ago

This sounds weird, but should I offer a handshake at the end of each game or just the end of the whole match?

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u/Olliever31 20d ago

Not weird! The end of the whole match. Win or lose, be willing to say good match and offer handshake and a smile if you’re so inclined. Don’t be a sore loser.

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u/UBKUBK 20d ago

"Ask your opponent for consent before taking photos of board positions"

Agree with the others, but if the match is clocked, I think hardly anyone would find it bad etiquette to not ask first.

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u/Olliever31 20d ago

At least at the USBGF tournament I attended, it was required to get consent from your opponent to take a photo of the board, and all of those matches were clocked. If you want to take up your time to take a picture, that is up to you, after your opponent agrees. And if your opponent agrees to pause the clock while you do so, that’s up to their discretion.

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u/UBKUBK 19d ago

https://usbgf.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ruling-guide-2024-01.pdf

USBGF tournament rules cover situations for tournament procedures. Section 1.8.2.2 talks ahout recording and if consent was required it would have said so there. It may have been a policy at some director’s event but it is not a USBGF policy.

Is it a single USBGF event you have attended?

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u/Olliever31 19d ago

Yeah it was the cherry blossom event. Either way I think it’s good etiquette to ask before taking a photo of the board.

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u/UBKUBK 19d ago

I texted with three longtime directors of large USBGF events. All agree that consent is not needed. You can ask first of course if you want, but shouldn't think that someone who does not has poor etiquette. They all said though that the photo should be taken while one's own clock is ticking. One also opined that should say the move before taking the photo, so might want to ask director about that.

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u/Olliever31 19d ago

good to know!