Backgammon Table Manners

Since backgammon is played on a board it will be easy to understand that it does require some table manners. There are a few things that we may do before, during, and after the game that are acceptable and there are those that are not. Being able to tell proper table manners in backgammon shows your depth of sportsmanship.

One very simple rule that anyone can follow is to reduce the amount of chit chat during the game. A few cordial words before and after the game will of course be appropriate table manners. But during the game, the amount of words exchanged between players and spectators should be reduced.

A seemingly innocent remark is saying "good roll" for every good roll made by your opponent. It may be true that it was a good roll and even though it is a compliment but saying it every single time is annoying. It is also another way of telling your opponent that "you're just lucky, that's why you're winning".

Something that equally an improper type of table manners is giggling when your opponent takes a bad turn of luck with the dice. It is quite the same as chortling when you're the one who gets the better rolls. Again, it is irritating to the other player and it is not acceptable in backgammon.

Of course, greeting your opponent before the match is acceptable table manners in backgammon. At the end of a match it is alright to shake hands or simply thank the other player for playing with you. And this is the right time to say "good match" especially if it was. Of course this compliment easily turns into an insult if your opponent didn't really do very well.

During the course of a game you should not handle the cube in any way if you don't really intend to use it. There are backgammon clubs or organizations that see this as cheating so you should beware. The idea is that some players check their opponent's reaction to the cube (or sometimes the score sheet is used instead of the cube). Of course that is unacceptable table manners and is really cheating.

Some annoyances that all players should avoid is shaking your dice while your opponent is thinking what to move next. It doesn't only demonstrate your lack of self control but it also shows your lack of respect for the other player. This and some other seemingly harmless habits disturb your opponent, which isn't exactly fair any way you look at it.

Remember to check your pace and never play too fast for your opponent or too slow either. Both players should keep score of the game. These are very simple table manners that any backgammon player should observe.