How to Use the Doubling Cube

One very interesting addition to backgammon is the introduction of the doubling cube. The doubling cube adds to the gambling element of backgammon. We'll discuss what a doubling cube is and how to use it during a game.

Aside from the dice that comes with your backgammon set, you also get what is called a doubling cube. Every standard backgammon set would have one. It would look like normal dice, but the numbers on it are different. You'll notice that the numbers would start from two and the highest number on it is 64. The exact numbers on the backgammon doubling cube are two, four, eight, 16, 32, and 64.

When a game starts, the doubling cube will rest on the bar or at the side of the backgammon board and is positioned halfway between both players. The number 64 will be displayed initially at the start of a backgammon game.

This would mean that the doubling cube has not yet been used or put into play in a backgammon game. In this state, the value of the game is still one point. Since the doubling cube is placed in between both players this means that both of them have the opportunity to raise the value of a backgammon game.

During the course of a game if one player sees an advantage over an opponent a double might be offered. That player can use the doubling cube to double the value of a game (i.e. the stakes). The offer to double the stakes should be done before that player rolls the dice. The offer to double cannot be done after the dice has been rolled.

The opponent who was offered the double has the opportunity to accept or refuse the offer. This is otherwise known as to take or pass the offer to double. To pass the offer to double in backgammon means that a player resigns from the game. A player to avoid losing twice the amount of points or stakes in a single backgammon game usually does this.

To accept a double means that a player agrees and takes the offer to double the stakes. That player then reserves the right to redouble the value of a backgammon game and the doubling cube stays on that player's side of the board.

Using the doubling cube may become quite complicated at times though the basics are pretty easy. If you see a and advantage during a backgammon game it is only fitting to gamble and offer a double.