Many casual backgammon players have never used a doubling cube, but it brings a significant amount of new strategy into the game. Read on to see how you can use it, too.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
- Backgammon can be played as a series of games, with players competing to reach a certain number of points to win. (Or for a set number of games; the player who has the most points at the end wins.)
- Each game starts with a value of one point. The doubling cube is placed in the middle of the Bar and is not controlled by either player.
- When a player feels he or she has the advantage, that player can choose -- before he or she rolls the dice -- to offer a double.
- The opposing player can turn down the offer, but concedes (i.e. loses) the game by doing so.
- If the opposing player accepts the offer, the value of the game doubles (e.g. from 1 to 2, from 2 to 4, from 4 to 8, etc.).
- When a player accepts a double, he or she takes control of the doubling cube and is the only player who can make the next offer of a double.
- Some players use 'beavers': when a player is doubled, he or she may immediately redouble (beaver) while maintaining control of the cube. The original doubler can accept or refuse, as with a normal double.
- Some players use 'automatic doubling': if the first roll is doubles, the value of the game becomes 2 points. The cube remains in the middle (no player has control of it).
Tips:
- Although any particular doubling cube will have a limited number of sides, technically there is no maximum point value for a single game.
- You don't really need to have a cube to play with doubling rules -- a pencil and paper can be used as a completely effective substitute.
What You Need
- Backgammon Equipment
- Doubling Cube
