Doubling Cube
The doubling cube (or simply the cube) is a six-sided die, a bit larger than the standard backgammon die with the markings 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 on its side. When the backgammon game begins, the cube is placed in the middle of the two players with the number 64 faces up. Each player on his turn who feels he has an advantage over his opponent can offer a double. The opponent can either accept or refuse the offered. The doubling cube adds a major strategy level to the backgammon game.
Whether in a backgammon match or a money game, each game is played for a predetermined stake per point. When a player offers a double, he suggests the opponent to continue playing for twice the initial stake. If the opponent accepts, the stake is doubled and he becomes the owner of the cube, meaning he can offer a double before his next turn. If the opponent refuses, he must quit the game and lose his initial stake.
Thus, the doubling rule in backgammon is quite simple: it allows each player to offer a double, as long as it is done on his turn prior to rolling the dice. A player who accepts a double - becomes the owner of the cube and may offer a re-double at any time. A player who refuses a double - must quit the game.
Optional Doubling Rules:
Beaver – allows the player who had just offered a double to offer a re-double
Raccoon – allows the player who had just accepted a Beaver to immediately offer a re-double
Automatic Doubles – an optional doubling rule commonly used when playing backgammon for money. When both players roll the same number on the opening roll, the initial stake is automatically doubled.
Crawford Rule – named after the backgammon player John R. Crawford, the rule suggests that in the game that follows a match that ended with leaving one of the players 1 point from winning the match, the doubling cube won't be used. The game is called the Crawford Game, and the game that follows is known as the Post-Crawford Game.
Jacoby Rule – named after the backgammon expert Oswald Jacoby, says that in a game whereby no one has offered a double, gammons and backgammon will count as a single game.
 |