The Crawford Rule
The Crawford Rule is intended to make the final stage of a backgammon match - also internet backgammon play - more fair for the player in the lead. The rule itself states that if one player is just one game away from winning a match then the game cannot be doubled. Suppose a player is just one point away from winning a match. From his opponent's point of view there is nothing to lose so he will double the game regardless of his position and his real chances of winning the game. This means that if one player is just one point away from winning and the other is two points away then they will essentially be in the same position. The trailing player will double the game and whoever wins will take the match. The leading player gains nothing from the doubled game and the trailing player is taking no risk. This reduces the hard earned advantage that the leading player should have.
In order to prevent this apparent bonus for the trailing player the Crawford rule prevents the players from using the doubling cube during a game where one player is just a single point away from winning the match. The game is then called a 'Crawford Game'. Once the Crawford game is over the players may again use the doubling cube is if the match has not yet been won. The Crawford rule is named after the renowned 1930s bridge player Johnny Crawford who first suggested the idea. The Crawford rule is commonly used in competition and match play and should always be assumed unless otherwise stated.There are players who object to the Crawford rule especially if they are trailing a match but find themselves in a strong position to win a game and make a comeback by doubling.
However, the alternative could create a very unfair situation. Consider a 7-point match in which one player has stormed ahead to a 6-0 lead. The opposing player could now just keep doubling with abandon on each game because if he loses the game the match is over anyway. By contrast, banning doubling in all match games would prevent players making a comeback over a significant lead that would remove much of the excitement from the game. The Crawford Rule enables a happy balance that allows doubling without it becoming a liability. As for its effect of the match the Crawford rule usually forces a trailing player to win at least one more game than if they were allowed to double with impunity. The doubling cube gives a significant advantage to a player who's trailing in a match. The Crawford Rule is there to make sure that the advantage doesn’t become unfair to the better player.As a strategy you should double anytime you can when you are trailing and your opponent is at match point. This can happen if you win the Crawford Game as the trailing player.
Chester Houndswell
