Speed of online bg play

leonardo · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

I have often been criticized by my opponents online for the slow rate of my play. I understood that since clocks are used in online backgammon I have every right to take my time. Is there some unwritten rule I don’t know about? I don’t like being criticized for something that I have every right to do, but I also don’t want to break any rules I didn’t know about. Can anyone shed any light on the issue for me?

Liss · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 30

Generally, yes, you do have the right to take as much time as you want before the clock runs out. However, there are several reasons people might have a problem with your slow play.

The first reason people might criticize you is because they are wary of cheaters. A common sign that someone is cheating by analyzing moves with a computer program or bot like snowie is that they take a long time to make their move. For this reason you should be careful.

Aside from that, it isn’t very much fun to sit in front of your computer screen waiting for your opponent to make his move. Even thirty seconds can seem like an eternity when you are waiting. If I was playing you and winning consistently, I might put up with your slow play. However, if I thought our skill level was about equal or that you were a better player than me I wouldn’t keep playing you after one game. I’d rather spend my time more wisely and if you really take a long time I might be able to play and win two games against other opponents than I could take to lose one game against you.