Rules and Regulations
1. PROPRIETIES
1.1 Interpretation and scope
These online tournament rules (the “Rules”) as approved by the relevant federation (the “Federation”) and as may be amended or restated from time to time, shall apply as an addendum to the BWC Tournament Rules, to all online tournaments sanctioned or otherwise approved by the Federation (each a “Tournament” and
together or generally “Tournaments”) and no rules other than these Rules, in conjunction with the BWC Tournament Rules, may be used.
The Rules are a statement of generally accepted principles of best practice for the enjoyment of online tournament backgammon by all participants. However, the Rules are not intended to cover every possible situation that might arise in the course of a Tournament and accordingly are no substitute for the Tournament director’s judgement and discretion to determine the most appropriate resolution in any particular set of circumstances. Any reference to the male gender shall be deemed a generic gender reference. Any peferences to players or opponents shall be deemed to include references to teams as appropriate.
2. REGULATIONS
2.1 Game Server
All matches must be played on the server designated by the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director will select a suitable online backgammon platform (a
“Game Server”) which is accessible using commonly available computer hardware. It is the players’ responsibility to ensure that they are able to play on the relevant game server and have registered with it as necessary prior to the start of the tournament. The Tournament Director will take reasonable steps to ensure that any specified options, preferences or obligations as defined in sections 3.1 – 3.3 are supported by the selected game server.
2.2 Starting times and deadlines
(i) STARTING TIMES – It is the responsibility of players to arrange a suitable and mutually convenient starting time once a match has been announced by the Tournament Director.
(ii) DEADLINES – The Tournament Director will specify a deadline for completion of each match. The match must be completed and the result reported to the Tournament Director before the deadline.
(iii) EXCEPTIONS – In certain circumstances the Tournament Director may make an exception to section 2.2, subsections (i) to (ii) if particular concerns to one or both players warrant this, if technical issues are experienced with the Game Server or its client software, or if he deems the match to be of special significance.
(iv) FORFEITS – The Tournament Director may, at his discretion, award a forfeit against a player under any of the following conditions:
a. The player fails to make or acknowledge contact with his opponent prior to the deadline for the match,
b. The player fails to be online at the appropriate time for the match to be played on one occasion without reasonable justification,
c. The player fails to be online at the appropriate time for a match rearranged as a result of a previous failure by that player, for any reason,
d. The player fails to complete the match on one occasion without reasonable justification,
e. The player fails to complete the match, for a match rearranged as a result of a previous failure by that player, for any reason,
f. The player fails to acknowledge contact with the Tournament Director, should the Tournament Director make enquiries as to the state of the match.
(v) DOUBLE FORFEITS – The Tournament Director may, at his discretion, award a forfeit against both players under any of the following conditions:
a. Neither player has made contact with the other prior to the deadline for the match,
b. The match remains uncompleted without reasonable justification from either player,
c. Both players fail to acknowledge contact with the Tournament Director, should the Tournament Director make enquiries as to the state of the match.
3. PREPARATION
3.1 Automated Pip Count
(i) SITUATIONS – The use of automated pip counts (including both running pip counts displayed routinely, and pip counts initiated by the players with a command on the Client Software) may occur as an option, preference, or obligation:
(a) Option. In any Tournament the players may choose to play the match using automated pip counts if they are in agreement;
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(b) Preference. A player may insist that the match is played using automated pip counts, if it is announced in the Tournament invitation that the Tournament, or part thereof, is to be held with a preference for automated pip counts;
(c) Obligation. Players shall be obliged to play the match using automated pip counts, if it is announced in the Tournament invitation that the Tournament, or part thereof, is to be held with an obligation to use automated pip counts.
3.2 Integrated game clocks
(i) SITUATIONS – The use of a game clock integrated into the client software of the Game Server may occur as an option, preference, or obligation:
(a) Option. In any Tournament the players may choose to play the match using the game clock if they are in agreement;
(b) Preference. A player may insist that the match is played using the game clock if it is announced in the Tournament invitation that the Tournament, or part thereof, is held with a preference for game clocks;
(c) Obligation. Players are obliged to play the match using the game clock if it is announced in the Tournament invitation that the Tournament, or part thereof, is held with an obligation for game clocks;
(ii) EXCEPTIONS – In certain circumstances the Tournament Director may make an exception to section 3.2, subsection (i) (b) and (c), if special concerns to one or both players warrant such exception.
3.3 Server ratings
(i) SITUATIONS – The use of the rating system on the Game Server may occur as an option, preference, or obligation:
(a) Option. In any Tournament the players may choose to play the match unrated if they are in agreement;
(b) Preference. A player may insist that the match is played unrated if it is announced in the Tournament invitation that the Tournament, or part thereof, is held with a preference for unrated matches;
(c) Obligation. Players are obliged to play the match unrated if it is announced in the Tournament invitation that the Tournament, or part thereof, is held with an obligation for unrated matches;
(ii) EXCEPTIONS – In certain circumstances the Tournament Director may make an exception to section 3.3, subsection (i) (b) and (c), if special concerns to one or both players warrant such exception.
3.4 Spectators, streaming and recording
The Tournament Director may, in his sole discretion and in any combination, require any match to be played such that spectators may watch, to be streamed online, to be recorded by way of written notation, or to be recorded automatically by the client software of the Game Server or otherwise. Such decision is not liable to be appealed.
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For the avoidance of doubt, such recording shall be available to be published by the Tournament Director or the Federation in any manner they determine in their sole discretion.