The Holland Rule

The Holland rule states that after a Crawford game a player can't double before two rolls have been played by each side. It is true that this makes the free drop (when your opponent has an even number of points to go and you drop and inferior position) more valuable but since the rule proved to be so confusing it still didn't become popular.

One effect is that the matches become longer and quite boring if one side is way ahead. Even if the Crawford rule would be altered strange cube tactics would be involved - not to mention that it would cut back the advantage of the leader.

The Holland rule also means that you can't really pass on any double if you are in the lead in a post-Crawford game since this will increase your opponent’s chance to win.

Since the Holland rule only makes the games into a boring drag it has become something of the past that never worked and certainly didn't make backgammon comprehensible and fun to anyone.

Matthew Morris