What constitutes a borne off checker?

Jennifer · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

I ran into quite an unusual situation the other day in my backgammon club. A couple players were playing in a tournament-style game. One was somewhat of a novice while the other player has been playing for years and is one of the best players in the club. Surprisingly, the novice was coming close to winning the game—and by a backgammon! He had begun bearing off checkers over his opponent’s backgame and in one move hit two opposing checkers onto the bar. I guess in his excitement he wasn’t paying attention because he grabbed those two checkers and placed them on the table instead of on the bar. The more experienced player didn’t say anything, picked up the dice and took his turn. The novice won the game on his next turn. He began marking down his three point win but the more experienced opponent told him that he only wins one point because none of his checkers are on the bar. I felt that the novice had been taken advantage but there was a big disagreement among the members in the club over who was right in this situation. Does anyone have any opinions?

Maddox · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 25

You are right that the novice was taken advantage of but unfortunately it was within the umbrella of the rules. A moral person might have told the other player of his mistake and kindly moved his checkers back onto the bar. However, in backgammon there is a rule that states that if you see a mistake or illegal move you may call it or let it stand. In order to acknowledge that you are letting the move stand you simply have to roll the dice to begin your turn and the board remains as is. The mistake or illegal move is history and the game goes forward. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do.