The Doubling Cube in Backgammon
The introduction of the Doubling Cube to the game of backgammon served to make the game even more interesting and challenging to all players. The cube was a welcome addition to the game that made backgammon one of the most popular board games around the world.
The purpose of the Doubling cube was to raise the stakes of a match and make an even more exciting game. As the cube is hardly known and used by beginners and casual players, it is very important to understand how the cube works and how it can be used in your backgammon strategy.
The cube consists of six faces with the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 imprinted on each face. To start using the cube, a player who feels that he has the advantage in the match can double the stakes. He does this by placing the cube on the board or table with the number 2 face up. His opponent can then choose whether to refuse the offer or to agree to double the stakes. If he agrees, the cube comes into his possession and the game proceeds this time with bigger stakes.
The next player to possess the cube now has the power to double the stakes anytime he wishes. When he wants to double the stakes, he places the cube on the board with the number 4 face up. He can raise the stakes as long as he does it during his turn and right before he throws the dice. This time, it is his opponent's turn to either agree to double the stakes or to decline the offer. If he accepts, the cube then returns to his possession and he now has the option to raise the stakes once more. With every change in possession, the stakes double in value.
There are several rules in the Doubling cube that every backgammon player should know. The Crawford rule means that if your opponent is one point short of winning, you cannot use the Doubling cube in the next game but you can still use the dice in the next matches. This rule was formulated to prevent the losing player from raising the stakes unnecessarily because he has nothing to lose.
There is also the Jacoby rule which states that a gammon or backgammon cannot be scored once the cube has been passed to the next player and accepted. The Holland rule, on the other hand, decides that the trailer is doubled only after two rolls of the die have been played by both players.
The animals in the Doubling cube can be used if a player thinks that his opponent is wrong in doubling the stakes. If a player makes the double and turns the cube to number 2, his opponent only has to say "beaver" and place the cube at 4, and so on and so forth. The beavers, raccoons, otters and other animals allow a player to keep the Doubling cube to himself. |
