About the rule of playing the higher dice

[Hattori_Kanzo]

The situation: I have 1 men in the bar. I roll 1-4. I could move only 1 OR 4: if I move 1 then I could not move 4 and if I had moved 4 then I could not move the 1.

The question: what the Rules say? Must I move the higher dice (4)?

  tnx in advance!

[diane]

if you look here http://www.bkgm.com/rules.html rule number 4 seems to cover it...

A player must use both numbers of a roll if this is legally possible (or all four numbers of a double). When only one number can be played, the player must play that number. Or if either number can be played but not both, the player must play the larger one. When neither number can be used, the player loses his turn. In the case of doubles, when all four numbers cannot be played, the player must play as many numbers as he can.

[socksey]

There must be a simpler way to say all that.  Maybe just make the most out of your numbers when possible.  Fibs won't allow you to play wrong in any case.  So, if you aren't able to play what you want, you must be doing something wrong.   

socksey



"I think the team that wins Game 5 will win the series. Unless we lose Game 5." - Charles Barkley, NBA Basketball Player   

[diane]

Fibs won't allow you to play wrong in any case. 

Not everybody only plays on FIBS  It is important to know the rules when at a live tournament - if you make an illegal play - it can cost you a great deal.
Those rules I linked to are particularly clear and easy to follow, I have seen much worse.

[khona]

What happens if a player makes a mistake (illegal move) in a tournament?  Letââ,¬â,,¢s say I roll 4-3, I move one checker 4 pips and I accidentally move another checker 4 pips instead of 3.  What would happen to me?  Also, at tournaments - does each backgammon board have a referee? 

[don]

The move stands, just like when you pick up your dice in real life.

--
don

[diane]

What happens if a player makes a mistake (illegal move) in a tournament?  Letââ,¬â,,¢s say I roll 4-3, I move one checker 4 pips and I accidentally move another checker 4 pips instead of 3.  What would happen to me?  Also, at tournaments - does each backgammon board have a referee? 

At a live tournament you will not have a referee watching - and even if there are some other circumstances which have required you to have a TD watching - they are not allowed to tell you of any illegal plays which occur - it is ENTIRELY up to you to watch your opponent and ensure his moves are legal.  This is one of the factors which makes live play more demanding - you have to play the game, watch your opponent and ensure you don't mess up either!!  In the event of a foul move the rule is this:

A turn is completed when the player picks up his dice. If the play is incomplete or otherwise illegal, the opponent has the option of accepting the play as made or of requiring the player to make a legal play. A play is deemed to have been accepted as made when the opponent rolls his dice or offers a double to start his own turn.

So, essentially, if the illegal play is actually better for you - you can leave it as is (ie if they roll a number which brings them off the bar - but they don't notice it and stay there..), or make them play it - the choice is yours.  If you roll your dice, then notice a mistake - that is too late - once you roll, you have agreed their move is ok and must play on.

This is a nice site with the rules quite clearly explained http://www.bkgm.com/rules.html have a look.

[socksey]

What happens if a player makes a mistake (illegal move) in a tournament?

If you are speaking strictly on line playing, it can't happen.  The clients won't allow it, which is one of the beauties of playing online.  If you mean live play, then what diane and don have said is very true.

socksey



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