Taking Advantage of the Backgammon Doubling Cube
A player who has a huge advantage during a game of backgammon may suggest doubling the bets, using the doubling cube. This can be done before the player makes their move, prior to the rolling of the dice. If the opponent does not accept the offer, the player offering the double forfeits the game and pays the original bet. When the opponent accepts the offer the game resumes with the higher bet.
If a player acknowledges the offer, the player offering the double gets ownership of the doubling cube, and is the only one who can offer a redoubling of the stakes. When the offer to redouble is rejected, the player needs to pay the bet that was in place before the offer was made. The process can continue until 64 times the original bet is being played for.
If the losing player has cleared a minimum of one checker near the conclusion of the game, the original bet is paid. If no piece has been cleared yet towards the close of the game, the player loses by gammon and pays twice the amount of the doubling cube. A loss without any of the checkers cleared, and a checker located on the bar, or home board of the winner, is known to have been 'backgammoned', and as such pays thrice the amount of the doubling cube.
Not only should you have knowledge of your game plan, but also you should consider utilizing the doubling cube. There are many conditions affecting the judgment of the player when to make a doubling offer, as well as when to refuse, or acknowledge, such an offer.
The pip count should come to mind when considering offering a double and, in general, if a player is way ahead during the game, it is a good time to make an offer. But, this is not just the factors that should be considered in making the offer - the placement of the pieces should also be a major consideration. If the other player was able to hinder four or five points consecutively, then they are in a good position, opposed to a player who has many points with only a single checker.
Making an offer to double early instead of during the latter portion of the game creates a greater possibility of the double being acknowledged because the opponent is not going to accept the double with an impending defeat. But the possibilities of winning a gammon, or backgammon, changes the complexion of the game even more - at times using the double is not suggested, if there is a greater chance of this happening, as the opponent would just take the loss of the original bet.
Knowledge in using the doubling cube can make a difference between winning or losing in the game of backgammon.
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