Guidance to Playing League & Cup Matches Online
London Ex-pats (those living outside the M25) are encouraged to play live when they can but have the option of playing their matches online. All other players are expected to play their matches live unless granted permission by Dicky Biddle.
Recommended Online Backgammon Platforms
Click on names for direct links to platforms
Other sites can be used but only by agreement of both players. If a dispute arises on any other site other than those listed above, I will not be making any rulings so you are on your own.
- Hub
Simplest to use straight away with a handy scheduling and invitation tool to arrange matches with your opponent. Allows for match downloads, analysis. Pauses matches when disconnections occur so can be returned to. Probably the easiest site to use for players new to online play. There is a dedicated London League Room on Hub with approved online clock settings: www.backgammonhub.com/room/lpbgl - Heroes
Does everything Hub does but with a multitude more bells and whistles therefore being a little more complicated to use and probably not ideal for the IT-illiterate. - Galaxy
Used to be a very popular site with new players due to its simplicity. Has now become a more App based product and lost many of its core users. They may well reintroduce the Classic browser version again but for the moment we are stuck with the App. I think you can still play 11-point matches but you need to invite a "Friend" and have enough coins. - GridGammon
Easy to download but very difficult to get an account on due to only being staffed by time-constrained volunteers. Great if you already have an account, not otherwise. Has no clock function.
Click on names for direct links to platforms
Other sites can be used but only by agreement of both players. If a dispute arises on any other site other than those listed above, I will not be making any rulings so you are on your own.
Some League Online Ground Rules
Please be grown up when it comes to deciding with your opponent which site to play on.
My final bit of advice to playing online – SLOW DOWN! The click-ability factor makes everyone speed up their play and become worse players, not least from the odd miss-click. Give yourself enough time to find the correct play every move.
Conflict between Live and Online Play
When the London League started in 2011, the world was a very different place. People went out to work, shop, socialise and pursue their hobbies. Being physically present wasn’t just expected—it was necessary.
Today, that’s no longer the case. Advances in technology, accelerated by the lockdown era, have made it possible to live much of our lives without leaving home. Whether for work, shopping or leisure, the online world has become embedded in everyday life—and it’s not going away.
This shift has inevitably affected Backgammon Leagues. During lockdown, we all moved online and it proved difficult to bring players back to live play afterward. Some regional leagues never fully recovered and now operate largely online.
At the same time, many long-standing London League players have moved away from the capital but still want to compete against familiar opponents. It’s worth remembering that when the league began in 2011, it was simply a group of 28 friends who wanted to meet, play and compete in a social but structured way.
So, is the London League still a live league?
Yes… but with some important caveats.
If you live within the M25, the expectation remains that you play your matches live. Aside from exceptional circumstances—such as ill health or extended travel—there is no reason not to.
For players living outside the M25, online play is permitted. Many still make the effort to travel into London to play live—and that’s appreciated, because live play is, for most of us, more enjoyable.
Where the Conflict Lies
The main issue arises when players’ preferences clash:
Final Thought
Success in this league isn’t just about playing strength. It’s about commitment—making the effort, being flexible and finding ways to get matches played.
In many situations, diplomacy matters more than principle.
- Pip counts should be set to on for both players
- From 2024 Q1, all online League & Cup matches are "Clock Preference". The London League Playing Room on Hub is set up with the approved settings of 90 seconds per point and 10 seconds per move.
- If using a different site, please use the clock settings that best match this (90/10 on Heroes, Normal on Galaxy)
- Players can deviate from using a clock or the default clock settings but only if both players agree.
- If playing on Galaxy, it is each player’s responsibility to ensure they are playing on a stable PC/device with stable broadband. If a player’s PC crashes permanently and they get timed out, they lose the match. The reported score should be 11-x, x being the score of the losing player before they timed out. There is a workaround if the both players agree to play out the match online again from the last recorded position. Please contact me for details.
- All other sites allow you to return to the match if paused due to disconnection.
- If the online site goes down and the match is lost, regardless of the score the match is abandoned and must be replayed from 0-0. If the part match files can be retrieved, please contact me about resuming the match.
- Some players are new to playing online. Be patient with them and be prepared to pick up the phone to them to coach them through it.
- There is nothing to stop players connecting on SKYPE, Zoom or any of the other video/audio apps to make their match more sociable while they play.
- Please report your results to me as you would normally do.
- If you feel your opponent has been using a bot to play you, please send me the match files for review.
Please be grown up when it comes to deciding with your opponent which site to play on.
My final bit of advice to playing online – SLOW DOWN! The click-ability factor makes everyone speed up their play and become worse players, not least from the odd miss-click. Give yourself enough time to find the correct play every move.
Conflict between Live and Online Play
When the London League started in 2011, the world was a very different place. People went out to work, shop, socialise and pursue their hobbies. Being physically present wasn’t just expected—it was necessary.
Today, that’s no longer the case. Advances in technology, accelerated by the lockdown era, have made it possible to live much of our lives without leaving home. Whether for work, shopping or leisure, the online world has become embedded in everyday life—and it’s not going away.
This shift has inevitably affected Backgammon Leagues. During lockdown, we all moved online and it proved difficult to bring players back to live play afterward. Some regional leagues never fully recovered and now operate largely online.
At the same time, many long-standing London League players have moved away from the capital but still want to compete against familiar opponents. It’s worth remembering that when the league began in 2011, it was simply a group of 28 friends who wanted to meet, play and compete in a social but structured way.
So, is the London League still a live league?
Yes… but with some important caveats.
If you live within the M25, the expectation remains that you play your matches live. Aside from exceptional circumstances—such as ill health or extended travel—there is no reason not to.
For players living outside the M25, online play is permitted. Many still make the effort to travel into London to play live—and that’s appreciated, because live play is, for most of us, more enjoyable.
Where the Conflict Lies
The main issue arises when players’ preferences clash:
- Some players refuse to play online.
- Others rely on online play due to location.
- If you refuse to play online, that is your choice. However, if a match cannot be arranged live, it will not be played, and no points will be awarded.
- If you live outside the M25, you are allowed to play online—but that does not guarantee your opponent will agree. Where possible, you should make the effort to travel.
Final Thought
Success in this league isn’t just about playing strength. It’s about commitment—making the effort, being flexible and finding ways to get matches played.
In many situations, diplomacy matters more than principle.
