Rules for rolling dice?

FlyShot · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

I have a question regarding the method for rolling dice in backgammon. Is there a rule about how to throw the dice?

I guess the reason I am asking is that the other day I was playing a game of backgammon my opponent would set the dice up in his hand on a double and then drop them directly on to the table. A couple of times, he rolled the exact same double that he had set up in his hand! I told him that I thought he was cheating, but he said there weren’t any rules for how to roll the dice and that he could do it however he wanted.

I’m sure there must be rules about this sort of thing, I just don’t know where to look. Does anybody know?

Liss · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 30

There actually are rules about this. In the rules for the US Backgammon Tournament (and probably most other backgammon tournaments) there is a rule about rolling the dice which says that in order for a roll to be legal the players much shake the dice in a dice cup and then toss them out above the playing surface in order that they should bounce and roll freely to their random landing positions.

The rules for tournaments are, of course, a little more serious than in backgammon play with friends for fun but the rule still should apply that a player must do all he can to ensure a random roll by shaking the dice within a cup or even a hand.

Next time you play with this friend, I suggest bringing a dice cup!