What Do I Do? How Do I Do It?
Frequently Asked Questions

If you are a beginner and not too sure about entering a tournament, don’t worry, it’s not as daunting as you’d might expect. Everyone is friendly and helpful and you’ll have a great weekends’ backgammon. Here’s a few questions & answers to help you through that first hurdle - your first Biba tournament.

Quick access:

Q: What types of tournaments are played?
A: We play two basic types. The first is a "Swiss Format" in which you will play 6, 11 point matches over the weekend on a winner meets winner basis; there are four of these a year. The Swiss is a Ranking Tournament and all entrants in a Swiss format tournament are expected to complete all six matches. The second type is a Knockout format featuring an 11 point Main, a 7 point Progressive Consolation (usually all except the last four players in the Main go in at differing levels dependent upon when they lose in the Main) which both start on the Saturday, then on the Sunday we have a 5 point Last Chance and a 3 point Suicide! An additional type, occasionally played is a combination, Swiss-KO.

In addition to the two main formats above there is a Friday night 5 point KO and Super Jackpot and a Saturday night Doubles/Team KO for those that want to play even more backgammon - and a lot of them do!

Q: Where do we play and how do I get there?
A: During 2006 and 2007 all but one tournament (the January, Brighton tournament) will be played at the Hilton, Coventry hotel. Directions for any tournament can be found by clicking on the hotel detials on the Tournament Details page. We operate a 'non-smoking' policy in the main playing-room but it is permissible for players to play in the bar or lounge of the hotel as long as they are guests. For details see the Calendar.

Q: What do I do when I get there?
A: Register. The registration desk is open from 1030 'til 1230 on the Saturday. Here you'll pay any outstanding membership fees and tournament registration fees. After that you are free to do whatever you wish until start of play at 1300.

Q: How do I book in?
A: See above regarding registration.

Q: What time do I play?
A: The Friday night KO starts at approx. 2130. The Main starts (both formats) at 1300 Saturday; followed by the Consolation. We break for dinner approx. 1900/2130 and then we play the Doubles/Team KO at approx. 2130. On the Sunday we continue playing at 1030 and, if playing a KO format, we start the Suicide! at 1300. All being well, you should be finished playing by 1700/1830 on the Sunday.

Q: What is it going to cost me once I get there?
A: Registration is £20 for all tournaments. As we operate a members-only entry policy you will need to become a member of Biba if you aren’t one already. Accommodation will cost you les than £60 for one night including dinner, bed and breakfast. If you saty en extra night or share a room the cost is reduced. If you are not staying at the hotel on the Special Biba Rate then you will have to pay a surcharge of £10 towards the staging of the tournament. In addition to these costs are optional, members only private pools varying from £5 to £25 for those that prefer a monetary prize; the highest placed 1st & 2nd sharing the pot 70/30% in their pool.

Q: Do we have to play for money?
A: No. See above regarding costs.

Q: Who do I play?
A: The first round of any tournament is always a random draw after which you will meet players on a knockout basis in Knockouts and according to rounds won in a Swiss Format.

Q: What speed do we play at?
A: Quickly! Unfortunately some players are very slow so measures are taken to encourage them to play a little faster. I allow approx. 2 hours for an 11 point match and I monitor slow players and encourage them to play faster, failing which I use chess clocks although it is very rare that they are used - the threat is enough!

Q: If I play too slowly will somebody tell me off?
A: Yes, me! Well, not so much a 'telling off' as a gentle nudge to keep up the pace.

Q: Who keeps the score?
A: Match scores should be kept by each player in case of dispute. A player who does not have a score sheet will be at a disadvantage should there be any questions raised about the score. Results are kept by the Association and used to compile records and printouts.

Q: What if I make a wrong move, will my head be bitten off?
A: No. But you will be at a great disadvantage if you do, as your opponent has the right to accept or refuse your 'illegal' move; whatever benefits him the most; [See Rule 4.8] so be very careful.

Q: What happens after I've played my game? Do I have to tell somebody?
A: Yes, me. Usually the winner comes up, face beaming, to give the results whilst their opponents sit complaining their bad luck to anyone daft enough to listen to them! Keep your fingers crossed you qualify for the former category.

Q: Will people talk to me?
A: Yes, but haven't you been warned about talking to strangers? . . . and there's no-one stranger than backgammon players! Seriously though, we all go to tournaments to enjoy ourselves and I am certain you'll have no problems meeting and talking to lots of fellow enthusiasts - in fact your biggest problem will be getting away from some of them! (No names mentioned.)

Q: Will it be "cliquey"?
A: In parts, yes. But on the whole players are very friendly and newcomers are quickly taken to - as long as they are willing to make the effort and mix, of course.

Q: Do I have to give the trophy back after a year when I win?
A: Only the main one on which your name is inscribed for posterity, you get to keep the other ones forever.

Q: What rules do you play to?
A: International Backgammon Rules adapted for Biba use, a copy of which can be seen by clicking here. Read them and study them; they are there for your protection.

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Championships - An explanation

Biba Tournaments

We organise twelve tournaments each year (Swiss and Knockout) from which we decide both of our championships, Biba & Ranking.

Biba Grand Prix Championship:
Our Biba Grand Prix Championship is comprised of two sections - Swiss and Knockouts - being decided over a series of Grand Prix tournaments (all formats) in which players gain points towards an annual total based upon match wins. Your six best positions are used to decide your eventual score; so, if you are in the points more than six times the better scores will replace the poorer ones.

There is no minimum tournament entry required but obviously the more tournaments you enter the greater your points total will be. At the end of the year the Biba Championship winners will be the players with the greatest points total. Should two or more players share this total then it shall be decided using 2, 3 or 4 decimal places.

At the end of the Grand Prix season all points are reset to zero.

Biba Ranking Championship:
To qualify for the Ranking Championship a player has to play a minimum of 14, 11-point matches in a year (if you play more than 14, lower scores will be replaced by higher ones) and an average is worked out, the champion being the player with the best average. Scores are decided by adding 500 points to an opponents’ Ranking Score if you win or by deducting 500 points if you lose. Decimal places as above will decide should two or more players share the same average ranking.

NB: All members start with a ranking of 1500 and this is adjusted according to wins/losses during tournaments. To be placed upon the Active Ranking list a member has to play 10 x 11-point matches; and then to remain on the list you will have to play a minimum of 15 x 11-point matches in a one year period from first attaining active status. All matches in the tournaments are ranked except 3-pointers.

UK Finals (an explanation)
In eight designated tournaments throughout the year (Bright ‘n’ Breezy, Jarvis, Scottish Open, British Open, County Cups, Studio Anne Carlton, Irish Open, Townharbour) the winner is entered into the last 16 of the Main, and gets one nights’ free accommodation to the UK Finals held in December of that year. If the winner is unable to attend then it is passed to the runner-up. (Format)

Tournament Entry Commitments
Members are expected to complete a tournament once entered. In a Swiss format tournament you are expected to play 6, 11 point matches (3 Saturday, 3 Sunday). However, provision has been made for players to drop oiut after the 3rd Round (Sunday).

Knockout tournaments are not as rigid and players are allowed to drop out if they want to. However, it is important that the Tournament Director is informed about dropping out in order that he may carry out correct draws.

In all Biba tournaments members are expected to play fairly and honestly. Members caught cheating or stealing will be dealt with very severely. Backgammon should be played in an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment; for this reason, sportsmanship as opposed to gamesmanship is the order of the day.

Finally, if you are unhappy about any aspect of tournament play, procedure or attitude, please inform the Tournament Director - your comments and views are listened to and acted upon whenever practical.

Michael Crane. Biba Director