Registering and playing in melBG tournaments
Write your name on the registration
pages of the tournaments you wish to play in.
The TD will organize the matches as soon as enough people have entered.
Join as many tournaments as you like - even register twice for the same event!
Matches must be played promptly and at a reasonable pace - sanctions may apply.
The draw is kept updated by the TD, and is available for inspection at all
times.
You should check the draw regularly, and keep delays to a minimum.
Playing the game
Play matches in a spirit of fair play, with both players trying to win.
Hand the completed score sheet to the tournament
director (TD).
The TD has absolute discretion regarding everything to do with conduct of
tournaments.
melBG wants everyone to have a great time.
Experience tells us that the following guidelines can be effective.
Sanctions are a last resort, to be used rarely if
ever.
Refrain from adverse comments and criticism.
Don't criticize other players moves, doubles, manners, whatever.
No-one likes regular complainers.
Accept rulings with good grace.
Occasionally the TD has to make a ruling.
Win some - lose some. That's backgammon - and life!
Avoid arguments
Disagreements usually relate to the dice rolls, or the checker positions.
Prevent these problems by ...
... minimizing checker movement.
If you really must, put
them back where they were originally after each try.
Get your opponent's
agreement every time.
If you get the position muddled up, judgment will probably
be against you!
... not moving the dice.
Until you have moved and your opponent accepts the move, DON'T PICK UP THE
DICE!
If you have to move the dice, get your opponent's agreement in advance.
Say the roll out loud after rolling.
Moving dice prematurely cedes the high moral ground to the opponent.
The tournament director is responsible for ensuring that
tournaments progress.
Delays are inconvenient. Please support the TD's efforts to
move things along.
Please play your matches at the earliest opportunity.
If a tournament match is scheduled and both players are present, please play
straight away.
Keep an eye on progress in your tournaments and be ready to play when required.
It's preferable to complete matches on the night, so try to start before 10pm.
The TD will eliminate a player who causes unreasonable delay.
If you're playing in one of the longer tournaments, be sure to turn up for your
matches.
Opponents of absent players will be awarded the win.
If you can't make it let the TD know in advance.
Fair Play
Collusion, agreements or actions designed to affect an outcome or artificially speed up a match are contrary to the spirit of fair play and may lead to disqualification.