Doubling Cube Clarification

The doubling cube is commonly used in Western backgammon games (as opposed to Tavla, Turkish variation of backgammon, for example, where the doubling cube is not in use, nor does a backgammon winning in the meaning of a triple game). The doubling cube in backgammon is often related to gambling, but what's the use of the cube if you are playing backgammon for fun?

When playing backgammon for money, the winner can go home with the initial stake X2 (or X4, or X8, depends on the number of redoubles) if a double was accepted. To make the doubling cube useful when playing backgammon just for fun, you should play a series of games, deciding the winner will be the first who wins 3 points or 5 points (always an uneven number). The doubling cube, then, multiplies by 2 the value of stake per points of the game.

For example, it is a 3-points game when agreed that every game worth 1 point and a player accepts a double, the value of the game would become 2 points, setting the temporary score on 2-1. If the opponent refuses a double, he forfeits the game, making the score stand on 1-0. Looking at the first scenario, you can see that the player is one point away from winning the match. If the Crawford Rule is valid, the doubling cube will be left out of the game because the leading player is missing 1 point from victory.