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How strictly should breaks be enforced?

Posted By: Tom Keith
Date: Saturday, 18 April 2015, at 1:26 p.m.

In Response To: Clarification required: 2.2.6 Intra-Match-Breaks (Tom Keith)

niuniuch: From what I've seen players rarely take breaks because they're actually tired. Deciding when to take a break is part of a match strategy, like time-outs in basketball.

roadkillbooks: I often like to take a short break when I get to 2a2a or DMP, If I have yet to take a break, I believe I should be able to do so.

TarHeelFan: sometimes a break can be important for a player to clear his head, calm down after a bad beat, etc.

This debate largely comes down to the nature of competition you would like to see in backgammon tournaments. There was (and still is) a similar debate surrounding clocks. Many players don't like the added pressure clocks give; they prefer a more relaxed environment. Even among proponents of clocks, some prefer looser controls while others would like to see the time controls tightened.

I would like to see stricter and better enforced rules surrounding breaks. Abuse of the current break rules is the biggest reason that tournaments fall behind schedule. That said, I wouldn't like backgammon tournaments to become like (what I imagine) chess tournaments are like. I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at backgammon tournaments. One 10-minute break every 45 minutes seems about right.

We could perhaps distinguish among three types of breaks:

1. Normal breaks. These are the breaks set out in the rules. You are free to spend your 10 minutes however you like -- take a walk, call home, compare results with your friends -- whatever you like.

2. "Emergency" breaks. These are additional breaks that some players may need who can't wait the full 45 minutes until the next normal break. If you take an emergency break, do your business and return to the game as quickly as possible -- no socializing, no using your cell phone, etc.

3. Strategic breaks, to let yourself calm down after an unlucky loss, or to try to change up the luck, or anything you think might help your chances in the match. Strategic breaks are already provided for in the rules: You can take a break any time you want -- as long as your clock is running.

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