The backgammon doubling cube resembles a regular die, but it is a little larger, and it has the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 printed on its faces. The doubling cube keeps track of the current stakes of the game. Backgammon can be played as a series of games with players competing to reach a certain number of points to win or as a set number of games, after which the player with the most points at the end wins. Backgammon players who play for money play for a mutually agreed-upon stake per point. The more points the winner earns in a game, the higher the stakes won.
How to Use the Doubling Cube
When a player accepts a double, he takes control of the doubling cube and is the only player who can make the next offer of a double. Knowing when to accept a double and when to decline is a sign of a skilled backgammon player.
More Doubling
Some backgammon players use “‘beavers.” When a player is doubled, he may immediately redouble (beaver) and maintain control of the cube. The original doubler can accept or refuse as with a normal double, but if he declines, he forfeits the game and loses the doubled stake. If he accepts the redouble, the game continues at quadruple the original stake. Some players use “automatic doubling.” If the first roll doubles, the value of the game becomes two points. The cube remains in the middle where no player has control of it. Thereafter, normal doubling rules apply.
