Backgammon Official Rules

1. The game of Backgammon is played by two persons.

2. Thirty men?fifteen of one color and fifteen of another?are used, and are set up as shown in Figure 1 on a standard board, of four quarters or tables having six points each.

3. For entering and throwing off, the points in both inner tables are considered as numbered from 1 to 6, as shown in Figure 1.

4. Direction of play is from adversary's inner table to adversary's outer table, to player's outer table, and then to player's inner (home) table.

5. Play of the men is governed by two dice, thrown (cast) from a cup in which the dice are shaken before casting.

6. Choice of seats, men, set up, dice, etc., shall be made by the player winning the opening throw.

Backgammon Throws

7. For the opening throw each player throws a single die. Every tie requires another pening throw. Whoever throws the higher number wins, and for his first move plays the numbers upon both dice. After that each player in turn throws two dice.

8. The dice must be rolled together and come to rest flat (not "cocked") upon the tables at the player's right, otherwise they must be thrown again.

9. If a throw is made before an adversary's play is completed, or if either player touches a die before it has come to rest, the adversary of the offender may require a rethrow.

10. The player must leave his dice upon the board until his play is completed. Should he pick them up or turn them over before the completion of his play, the adversary may declare the play void and require the offender to replace
the man or men moved and to throw again.

Backgammon Play

11. The play of the men consists:

(a) In moving a man the exact number of points indicated by the number on a die thrown.

(b) Entering a man, in the adversary's inner table, on a point corresponding to the number on a die thrown.

(c) Throwing off (bearing) a man in player's inner table-when no man is left outside that table or on the bar-from a point corresponding to the number on a die thrown, or as provided in Law 15.

Doublets require four plays-if possible-of the die number thrown.

12. No play may be made which lands on a point held by two or more of the adversary's men.

13. When a play lands on a single man (blot) of the adversary's, such man is "hit," and must be lifted and placed on the bar for entry in the player's inner table.

14. A player having a man on the bar may not play until that man has been entered.

15. Plays must be made for both dice if possible. Either number may be played first. If only one number can be played, and there is a choice, the higher must be played.

In throwing off, a man may at all times be correctly thrown off from the highest occupied point which is lower than the number indicated by a die. If a number is thrown for an unoccupied point, no man below can be thrown off, for such number, while any man remains on a higher point.

16. Whenever a man has been moved correctly and quitted (the player's hand removed), that play cannot be changed.

Playing Errors

17. If an error has been made in the set-up, either player may correct it prior to the completion of his first play.

18. If an error in play has been made, either player may require its correction before a subsequent throw, but not thereafter. The man played in error must be correctly played if possible.

Backgammon Scoring

19. A game is won by the player who first throws off (bears) all of his men.

A Gammon (double game) is won if the adversary has not thrown off a single man. This doubles the count for a single game.

A Backgammon (triple game) is won if the adversary has not thrown off a single man, and has one or more men in the winner's inner table or upon the bar. This triples the count for a single game.

20. DOUBLING GAME. The count is raised:

Automatically -

By agreement, each tie of the opening throw may either:

(a) Double the previous count.

(b) Add one to the previous count. Unless an understanding has been reached as to the method and limitation of automatic raises they are not played.
Voluntarily -

Either player may offer the first optional double of the previous count. After that the right to double the previous count alternates, being always with the player who has accepted the last double.

In every case, a double may be offered only when it is the player's turn to play and before he has thrown the dice. A double may be accepted or declined. The refusal of a double terminates the game, and the player refusing loses whatever his count may amount to at that time. Gammons and Backgammons double or triple the last count.

21. BY AGREEMENT other methods of scoring may be used, such as:

The Point Game. In this 1 point is scored, by the winner of a game, for each man left in the adversary's inner table; 2 points are scored for each man left in the adversary's outer table; 3 points for each man left in the winner's outer table, and 4 points for each man left in the winner's ninner table or upon the bar.

Chouette

1. Chouette is played by three or more members.

2. In beginning the game each member shall throw a die and the one throwing the highest number is then the "Man in the Box," the next highest is the "Captain." The other members, in accordance with each one's throw, rank below the Captain and succeed him in that order.

3. The initial throw shall determine each member's position but in the event of a tie, only those tying hrow again for their position. The highest or higher number always has precedence.

4. Any applicant to Chouette may be accepted. He becomes the last ranking member in the first game in which he participates.

5. After the positions have been determined the Man in the Box and the Captain proceed as in the two handed game except all the remaining members are partners of the Captain.

6. The Man in the Box plays alone and scores separately with each one of his adversaries. He retains his position until defeated. In such event, he retires as a player and takes his place as last ranking member (unless there be an added member). The Captain then becomes the Man in the Box.

7. The Captain may consult with any or all of the partners on any question that may arise in the course of the game. He is, however, the final arbiter, except as hereafter provided. Should he be defeated, he loses his position and takes his place as last ranking member (unless there be an added member). The highest ranking partner then becomes Captain.

8. A double offered by either player may be refused by any partner. Each rejector forfeits to the Man in the Box his count previous to the proposed double.

9. Should the Captain decline to accept a double offered by the Man in the Box he loses his position, and forfeits to the Man in the Box his count previous to the proposed double.

10. When a double has been declined by the Captain, any or all of the other members may accept it. The highest ranking of those accepting becomes Captain until the termination of that game.

11. Accepting or declining a double does not change the rank of the member; except that declining by the Captain loses him his position even though the game be eventually won by the accepting members.