The Doubling cube

							Title:
The Doubling cube

Word Count:
613

Summary:
In backgammon the doubling cube is used to increase the stakes during the
game. The doubling cube is a relatively new addition to backgammon but it
elevates the game to a new level in terms of strategy. It is important
that you know the concept and strategy elements related to the doubling
cube because it might be your key to great success.


Keywords:
backgammon,doubling cube,online backgammon


Article Body:
In backgammon the doubling cube is used to increase the stakes during the
game. The doubling cube is a relatively new addition to backgammon but it
elevates the game to a new level in terms of strategy. It is important
that you know the concept and strategy elements related to the doubling
cube because it might be your key to great success.

<b>Using the doubling cube</b>
You normally play backgammon in Match play, i.e. the winner is the player
who first reaches a predetermined number of points. Every game is worth
one point in the beginning of the game, so in a normal win the winner
gets one point.

In the beginning each game is worth one point. On his turn before a
player rolls the dice he may decide to offer the doubling cube to the
opponent. If the opponent accepts the cube it is turned with number 2
facing up and the opponent takes the cube into possession, meaning that
only he can initiate the next doubling. But now that the doubling cube
has been used once the game is worth two points. Should the doubling cube
used a second time and the opponent would accept the game would now be
worth 4 points.

If a player to whom the doubling was offered doesn't want to accept the
doubling he can resign. In that case the game is finished and the winner
gets as many points as the game was worth before the doubling was
offered.

The doubling cube is a normal die with the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64
on it. Each number represents a multiplier, which can alwas be doubled.
Therefore, if the doubling cube has been used four times a single
straight win would be worth 16 points. Theoretically doubling can go on
forever but in reality the doubling doesn't go beyond 4.

<b>Optional doubling cube related rules</b>
Beavering is often used to keep players on their toes when doubling. If a
player beavers, it means that he was offered the doubling cube but simply
accepting it he re-doubles to the next number! In addition he also
retains control of the doubling cube. So, if the player initiating the
doubling misjudged the game the opponent may grab the situation and by
beavering create a nasty situation for him by beavering and a little
later when he is in clear lead probably again doubling and forcing the
opponent to resign.

The Crawford rule has been introduced to limit the use of the doubling
cube in critical situations. It is an optional rule but a sensible one.
It states that if one player has come within one point of winning the
match, the game that follows is played without the doubling cube. If the
player who is losing wins this game the doubling cube is again being
used. Imagine a situation 4-3 in a five point game. Without the Crawford
rule the losing player could blindly double on his first turn becuase he
has nothing to loose anyway. The Crawford rule ensures that no weird
doubling cube action is taking place in backgammon.

<b>Scoring with the doubling cube</b>
As mentioned above each game is worth 1 point in the beginning and the
value of the game may increase with the doubling cube. So, if the
doubling cube has been used twice and number 4 is facing up a single win
will give the winner four points. However, if the player wins with a
gammon (worth 2 points), the value of the game is multiplied by two and
in a backgammon win it is multiplied by three. For example, the player
won with a gammon with the doubling cube showing four he scores 4 x 2 = 8
points.