Forum Archive : Rulings

Moving with two hands From:   Jason Lee Address:   jleemath@gmail.com Date:   22 January 2011 Subject:   The two-hand rule Forum:   BGonline.org Forums Rule 4.3 of the U.S. Rules and Procedures reads: 4.3 MOVING. A player shall move the checkers in an unambiguous manner, using only one hand. Checkers must be reentered from the bar before moving any other checker. A player shall not touch any checkers or dice during the opponent's turn. 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+ | X O | | O X | | X O | | O X | | O | | O X | | O | | O X | | O | | X | | | | | X rolls 5-5. | X | | | | X | | O | | X | | X O | | X | | X O | | O O X | | X O | +---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 I believe a strict reading of that rule means that in the above position, you cannot do what a lot of people do, which is, in order: * Pick up the blot on the 3 point with their left hand. * While holding said blot in their left hand, move two checkers from the 8 point to the 3 point with their right hand. * Then place the blot on the bar with their left hand. Some people will transfer the blot from their left hand to their right hand, and place it on the bar with their right hand. Do you think it's reasonable to enforce the rule in this situation, or is it being too petty? Casper van der Tak  writes: Too petty. As long as it is clear that the move is played legally, all should be fine. adrianov wrties  writes: I agree it would be to much to insist on the rule for this particular position & roll. Most of the players will have a pretty clear picture in mind of what the board will look like after the move is completed. The rule is OK for more complicated positions and where the player in turn is shuffling and trying out several options. Stick  writes: I am with you in general. There's no reason someone can't use 1 hand while moving and keep things neat. Here though the position calls out for some common sense instead of a fight for the sake of fighting. It's not like they're going to move checkers and move them back. Justin N.  writes: No more than one hand should be used to complete a turn. And enforce this rule the first time it is violated, and every time therafter. It only takes one instance where your opponent is sitting there with two checkers in the air, one in each hand, asking you what the original position was (particularly when doublets have been rolled), to make you wish you enforced this rule more regularly. Daniel  writes: Yes, Jason, I think it is reasonable to enforce Rule 4.3, even in this simple and common position. Similar questions come up often. Perhaps they would come up less frequently if more players were both aware of and enforced Rule 4.3. It is a good rule and promotes fair play. Related comment by Patrick Gibson: 13 October 2009 As a director, if called to rule, I would emphasize that "unambiguous" means that we should not have to "TRY and figure out" what is going on. The opponent should easily be able to determine what's happening. Move with one hand. Re-enter any of your checkers from the bar. And DO NOT place any opponent's checkers on the bar WITHOUT physically LANDING one of your checkers on that "hit" checker. Yes, lots of time saving motions can be attempted, but should not be condoned. Keep it simple! Roll well and prosper. ________patrick (the MFIC)   Did you find the information in this article useful?           Do you have any comments you'd like to add?

 

Rulings

Checker knocked off bar  (Chuck Bower+, Sept 2003) 

Clock rules and gin positions  (Chris Yep+, Dec 2007) 

Clock rules end of turn  (Jason Lee+, Dec 2007) 

Cocked dice  (Rodney Lighton+, July 2012) 

Cocked dice  (Ed Rosenblum+, Dec 2009) 

Cocked dice  (Chuck Bower+, July 2003) 

Cocked die on first roll  (Cloyd Laporte+, Nov 2006) 

Crawford game double  (Øystein Johansen+, June 2004) 

Crawford game double  (Joe+, May 2004) 

Crawford game double  (Raccoon+, Sept 2003) 

Crawford game double  (Claes Thornberg+, Apr 1998) 

Dice sliding  (Chris Yep+, Dec 2007) 

Disagreement on final cube  (Chuck Bower+, May 2004) 

Disagreement over cocked dice  (DeaconBlue+, May 2005) 

Disputed roll  (Roland Scheicher+, Mar 2004) 

Disputed roll  (Chuck Bower+, Mar 2000) 

Doubling to wrong value  (Stein Kulseth+, Nov 1998) 

Equipment changes  (Jason Lee+, Feb 2004) 

Error in setup  (Stick+, Dec 2007) 

Incorrect setup  (Ken+, Mar 2004) 

Kibitzing  (Ilia Guzei+, Feb 2006) 

Misplaced cube  (Ned Cross+, Mar 2004) 

Misplacing a checker off the board  (Sam Pottle+, Apr 2006) 

Misplacing a checker on the bar  (Jeb Horton, Dec 2002) 

Moving checkers before you roll  (Gregg Cattanach+, Mar 2006) 

Moving with two hands  (Jason Lee+, Jan 2011) 

Opening roll loser picks up his die  (Chuck Bower+, Oct 2007) 

Playing to wrong match length  (Klaus Evers+, Jan 2006) 

Playing to wrong match length  (Marty Storer+, Mar 2005) 

Playing to wrong match length  (Steve Mellen, Feb 1998) 

Playing wrong opponent  (Hank Youngerman+, Oct 2005) 

Premature actions  (Raccoon+, Feb 2008) 

Premature roll  (Chris Yep+, Dec 2007) 

Repositioning dice without notice  (Chuck Bower+, Oct 2007) 

Rerolling cocked dice too quickly  (Raccoon+, Nov 2006) 

Rolling 2 dice instead of 1 to start  (Bob Koca+, Oct 2007) 

Rolling when opponent is closed out  (Raccoon+, Nov 2006) 

Rolling wrong dice  (TarHeelFan+, Sept 2005) 

Taking photos of positions  (Stick+, Dec 2007) 

Touching the doubling cube  (Ken Bame+, Nov 2006) 

Touching the doubling cube  (Chuck Bower+, Apr 1998) 

Two cubes on the board  (Jason Lee+, July 2005) 

Video dispute resolution  (Jason Lee+, Feb 2006) 

When are the dice "up"?  (Ilia Guzei+, Feb 2006) 

Writing down positions  (Klaus Evers+, Jan 2006) 

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