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Tournament Rules (Online Backgammon)

1. RESPONSIBILITY of TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR 1
   The overriding responsibility of the Tournament Director, or “TD”, is to provide a venue that is as fair and enjoyable as possible for all. To that end, the TD is responsible for ensuring that these Rules and Guidelines will be followed as far as possible unless he determines that an exception should be made in order to maintain the overriding principle of fair play. The TD can nominate one or more Tournament Assistants "TA" for the purpose of managing the tournament.


2. RESPONSIBILITY of TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR 2
   When there is a doubt or question as to the application of a rule, a general approach is to tend to rule against the player who has, either intentionally or unintentionally, initiated an action that created the question or conflict in the first place.


3. Matches are played in accordance with the generally accepted international rules of backgammon (with Doubling Cube), as augmented by specific EBIF Rules detailed in this document.


4. A TD is appointed for each tournament. The TD is responsible for overall management of the tournament and scheduling of the matches.


5. The tournament matches will be played on a specific single Backgammon Server, which facilitates the electronic recording of matches. If a Server disconnection occurs, matches must be resumed within 15 minutes. If this does not happen, the TD must be notified and the TD will then reschedule the resumption. If a match is played with time control and a player loses on time, then the result is final. In all cases the players themselves are responsible for solving problems and disputes, if necessary with reference to the TD. Note: EBIF is independent of the rating system of any Backgammon server. It is therefore possible to play EBIF matches which are “unrated” on the server itself.


6. Both parties are under an obligation to submit the match result and XG file after finishing at "My EBIF "on the website. However the TD does not need a report from the losing player if the result and match file already submitted by the winner is correct and complete.


7. Where matches have been completed but neither player has been able to save the file, then the match is deemed valid if: a) both players confirm the result, or b) the result can be seen in the Server history (in both cases without pr and without experience points). Otherwise the match must be replayed.


8. A player may not use any help during the match (for example books, tables, notepads, calculators, spread sheets, bot analysis tools, human consultation, etc.). Players violating this rule will be permanently excluded from EBIF tournaments and will lose all their titles and ratings. The Backgammon Server will also be notified. The tournament ruling committee will endorse such decisions.


9. The time limit for a tournament will be set by the TD. Players who play very slowly may be monitored by two independent match observers!


10. Participants in tournaments (all players/team members and TD’s) shall treat all other participants with courtesy and proper respect. If players have differences of opinion they should attempt to resolve them privately in the first instance, always avoiding public arguments or discussions within match kibitz windows. In general, participants in tournaments are expected to act politely and fairly at all times, with due consideration for their opponents (e.g., no complaining of bad luck, no unnecessary computer disconnections). Transgressions will be penalised appropriately.


11. In the spirit of openness and mutual respect, all matches must be played openly. They should not be played as “private matches”. Moreover, all other participants in the tournament shall be allowed to watch all the tournament matches. Consequently during tournament matches there shall be no “blinding” or “gagging” of other participants.


12. Players should always confirm an agreed schedule by exchange of e-mails. A form exists on the website to publicise scheduled matches and this should be completed to enable other interested players to watch. All efforts to agree a Schedule should be documented by e-mail or screen shot.


13. Postponement of scheduled matches should be avoided wherever possible, but when necessary all interested parties should be notified immediately by email. Players should ensure that they are available to play at the agreed scheduled time. If a player does not arrive within 15 minutes, the TD should be notified and the match should be rescheduled (unless both players agree to play). Regardless of whether or not the match starts soon after the scheduled time, a late arrival (more than 30min), or non-arrival, will be considered a transgression – the transgressor will normally be issued with a “yellow card” warning. One further similar transgression will result in a “red card”, signifying a one point deduction from the score of the player/team. The TD may award the match to the transgressor’s opponent if both players cannot agree on a new date. After such penalty has been applied, the player’s count-back of previous transgressions is zeroed.


14. The participant shall notify the EBIF of any changes in personal data, in particular email address, immediately. If a player cannot be contacted on the specified email address for scheduling purposes, the tournament director will award the match to the opponent.


15. Participants in EBIF tournaments are expected to be flexible regarding time management and also to be aware of the different time zones in Europe.