There are different authorities which govern the tournament rules of backgammon, depending on the country and the particular tournament's rules. Here is a summary of the regulations according to the WBF, the Worldwide Backgammon Federation.

Worldwide Backgammon Federation

The rules of the game are those commonly accepted, unless specifically stated. The official language is decided by the committee and no other language is allowed by players or spectators during the course of a game.

Spectators must remain silent during a game. If players ask for and receive help from a spectator, both parties are disqualified from remaining matches and forfeit all winnings.

The flight is selected by draw. All draws are manual and include only registered players. Tardiness of a player will award his opponent with points; one point for the first 15 minutes and another point for each additional five-minute delay. The absent player forfeits if the sum of points reaches more than half the points needed to win the match.

Breaks are allowed in between games but no more than two breaks per match. Penalty points are imposed for infractions.

Slow play is also subject to penalty points, after due warning has been given by the director.

Matches must be played to the stated number of points, and players do not have the right to agree to change the number of points.

Before beginning the game, board, seating, and direction of play are decided by one roll, the higher roll winning the right to choose.

Dice and cups provided by the organization are usually required. Players are allowed to request, in advance, the use of precision dice or lipped cups. Players may not discard or change equipment during the game. At the beginning of any new game a player may request that the four dice be mixed. The player shakes and rolls and his opponent chooses first and third.

Dice must always be shaken vigorously (between three and five shakes) in a dice cup, rolled to the right of the bar, bounce freely, and come to a flat resting place. If either of the dice are cocked, they must both be rolled again.

Players must reenter checkers from the bar before moving another checker. Players must not touch their checkers while the opponent is playing.

A turn is over when the player lifts one or both of his dice, even slightly. In play, he may slide the dice on the surface of the board in order to facilitate his play. The dice must be put into the cup and the cup on the table while the other player is playing. It is forbidden to touch the dice or cup during an opponent’s play.

If a player notices an illegal move, he can require a replay of the entire roll. By turning the cube or rolling the dice, the player affirms that the last player's turn is complete and legal.

Each of the players must keep score and compare with his opponent at the beginning of each game. A player who does not keep score loses the benefit of the doubt in case of a dispute and his opponent’s score is considered valid.

Gammons and Backgammons are always counted.

To double, place the cube on the right side of the bar and state the double clearly. The player taking the double, puts the cube on his side of the bar and states his acceptance clearly. The cube must remain visible to both players throughout. To turn down the offer of a double the player says “Pass,” the score is recorded, and the board is set up for a new game. In the Crawford Game, when the player reaches match point, players may not offer a double. The doubling cube is not active during this game.

The regulations of the American Backgammon Tour are very similar to those of the Worldwide Backgammon Federation, except that the official language of the American Backgammon Tour is English.

If there were terms here that you didn't understand, try our section on:Talk the Talk! Backgammon Terminology.