Backgammon has a very long history nevertheless, learning how to play backgammon is simple. It is a game of skill and one that, unfortunately, many younger people today are not all that familiar with. Still, familiarizing oneself with how to play backgammon doesn’t take very long. Thanks to the rise of the Internet, learning how to play backgammon is easier than ever before and the game of backgammon is enjoying a resurgence of popularity. You can play online, download backgammon games from the Internet, and play with other people or against the computer.
Most people are familiar with the games set up’ two players, one backgammon board, and each player gets 15 chips apiece. When learning how to play backgammon, you will find that the object of game is to move the chips from the board into your home board and finally into your winning pile. The first person to successfully clear the board of all their chips wins the game. The backgammon board is divided into four parts. When looking at the board from either one of the player’s sides, the quadrant of the backgammon board closest to you is your home board, moving clockwise, you will pass over the bar and see the other half of the backgammon board, which is referred to as the outer board. Moving clockwise again to the remaining quadrant of the board is your opponent’s home board. You will notice that each quadrant has 6 points. These are the spaces that you move onto. Although the spaces are alternating colors, each chip can move onto any colored points, the color of the chip and the color of the points do not have to correspond.
The game starts with the chips in the proper place. Each player has five pieces in the first point in their home board, the one closest to the bar. They moving clockwise again, each player gets three pieces on their side of the outer board. These are placed in the point not directly next to the line, but one away from it. On the other side of the outer board, on the point furthest away from the center line, each player puts five more pieces. Moving rightwards across the board, each player puts two pieces in the opposite player’s home board nearest to their “out” position.”
Each roll of the dice shows how many points a player is allowed to move their chips. For example, if you roll a five and a four, you can move your chips a grand total of nine points. You can move one chip four spaces and the other chip 5 spaces. You must use both of the rolls if it is legally possible for you to use them. The only caveat is that you cannot move a chip onto a space that is already occupied. If a player rolls doubles, they get double the moves, for example, if you get double 6’s, you can move 4 pieces 6 points instead of two pieces 6 points. If you have a single chip on a space and a chip from your opposing player lands on it, your piece gets sent back to the center bar and from there it has to start the journey from the other side of the board. The first person to get all their chips through the board and into the safe position wins.
Showing posts with label backgammon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label backgammon. Show all posts
Monday, October 3, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Introduction To Online Backgammon
Online play is not much different from table play. Both sides have the same pieces, dice, and game board. To play online a game site must be located. However, that is easy to find. Most sites are free to play on but registration is required. Depending on the site, you can play against a computer or other opponents. To play online, there will be a place to click for the dice roll during your turn. Once the dice are rolled, you can move the pieces you would like, just as you would for a regular backgammon game. And the game is won the same way; get all your pieces off the board before your opponent.
The nice thing about playing online is you don’t have to play. You can just watch and learn if you want. This might be the best thing to do if you are just starting out. But when you do want to play you will be able to join in easily. And most sites have a tracking system so you know how well you are doing compared to other players.
Some sites are played for money. While it can be fun, it can also be dangerous if you are not careful. If you want to go this route, start out slow and only play for modest fees and winnings. Also remember that tournaments are played for money. These can be played against people across the country or globe depending on the hosting site. And with both money playing and tournaments the house takes a cut.
Most sites have you download part of the software before you can play. And many of the software programs only run on Windows based PCs. So unfortunately, MAC users are left out. However, other sites use a Java-script, which MAC users can use. This makes load times and lag lessen for players.
Many of the sites that offer online play are free but registration is required. Some are for members only, with a fee, but a guest can play for free with the member playing also. There are even sites to just play against a computer. This can be good to learn and get better before moving on to live people. And for those with time constraints, there are turn-based sites. Here you can play a few rounds at a time and then come back later to finish the game.
Online backgammon might have more options due to being able to play people everywhere. It is easy to learn and with many sites these days, easier to master. You don’t have to wait for someone to play with you. The Internet has made it easy to play a game that has been enjoyed for over 5000 years.
The nice thing about playing online is you don’t have to play. You can just watch and learn if you want. This might be the best thing to do if you are just starting out. But when you do want to play you will be able to join in easily. And most sites have a tracking system so you know how well you are doing compared to other players.
Some sites are played for money. While it can be fun, it can also be dangerous if you are not careful. If you want to go this route, start out slow and only play for modest fees and winnings. Also remember that tournaments are played for money. These can be played against people across the country or globe depending on the hosting site. And with both money playing and tournaments the house takes a cut.
Most sites have you download part of the software before you can play. And many of the software programs only run on Windows based PCs. So unfortunately, MAC users are left out. However, other sites use a Java-script, which MAC users can use. This makes load times and lag lessen for players.
Many of the sites that offer online play are free but registration is required. Some are for members only, with a fee, but a guest can play for free with the member playing also. There are even sites to just play against a computer. This can be good to learn and get better before moving on to live people. And for those with time constraints, there are turn-based sites. Here you can play a few rounds at a time and then come back later to finish the game.
Online backgammon might have more options due to being able to play people everywhere. It is easy to learn and with many sites these days, easier to master. You don’t have to wait for someone to play with you. The Internet has made it easy to play a game that has been enjoyed for over 5000 years.
Friday, May 27, 2011
How to Play Backgammon Online
Backgammon is the oldest game known and it is very popular all around the world. In the past you needed a board, dice and gammons. And something else of course - two players sitting and playing against each other.
Today, with the development of the internet you no longer need the other player to sit in front of you, he can be playing from the other side of the world, and you can even play against the computer.
Why play on the internet if you can play with a real board and dice?
First of all, it doesn't have to replace each other; actually most of the best online players keep playing the real game. The internet can't really replace the feeling of throwing the dice or seeing your opponent's face as you throw yet another double, but the internet can give you what internet gives best- online backgammon, 24 hours a day, without the time being wasted on arranging the game and without thinking where to put the backgammon board when your boss sees you. The fun about playing backgammon online is the availability to play as long as you wish, even for 3 minutes, against players from all over the world.
Playing online can even makes you richer- but this is only for the professional players.
If you do a survey among the online backgammon players, you would be surprised to learn that most of them play regularly online and rarely offline.
Step 1) Choosing the online site-
The internet has a wide variety of online sites. We recommend you begin with the big sites who offer backgammon games for fun and not only money. If you don't speak fluent English, look for a site that has the instructions in your language as well. A quick search in Google will give you the results, just click in and see whether the site looks professional or not, the professional ones will have games for money and for fun, schools, FAQ, support team. If you really are paranoid just fake a question and see if they contact you back. Keeping, at least in the beginning to the big and commercial sites makes you safer and will have more added values later on. Don't give any credit card details or any other detail except an email, and download the program.
Step 2) Learn How to play backgammon-
The online backgammon rules are the same as the offline. For those of you who don't how to play, you can read the article on our site on how to play backgammon and almost any backgammon site has the rules.
Most of the professional sites have schools for backgammon; this is a recommended way to learn quickly how to play- the computer shows you which moves are recommended for every dice.
Step 3) Playing against a real person-
In this stage you play only for FAKE MONEY!
After you register, you are awarded with the minimum points. Each time you win a match you earn more points depending on the level of your opponent and the points you agreed before. . The player's level of expertise is determined by his points. The site will offer you free of charge to enter "rooms" and ask players to play with you.
Step 4) Playing for real money-
You should be well trained before you start playing with your money. It is recommended to play in the backgammon schools in the advance mode, play for fun a lot and learn from other players by observing other matches.
The sites accept most of the credit cards since backgammon isn't considered gambling. The site collects a fee from the winner of each match in percentage and depends on the level of the players, the sums, and the differences between the levels of the players. In other words, basically the fee is higher the bigger difference in the player's level as an incentive for players to keep to their own league.
When you feel you are ready, it's time to choose an opponent.
Beware, although the level of each player is determined by its points, not all is what it seems. Although the points give you a perspective on the level of the player, it can lead to under valuate your opponent. Always remember that even if the best backgammon player in the world is playing, even he as a new player on the site starts with the minimum points and works his way up. In the past, some of the professional players tried to trick other players to play with them by registering under a different name and so starting with minimum points, but today only one player is allowed on each credit card, so rarely will you meet professional backgammon players who borrow their friend's credit card.
If you have more backgammon>/i>tips you think should be in the guide, feel free drop us a line.
Today, with the development of the internet you no longer need the other player to sit in front of you, he can be playing from the other side of the world, and you can even play against the computer.
Why play on the internet if you can play with a real board and dice?
First of all, it doesn't have to replace each other; actually most of the best online players keep playing the real game. The internet can't really replace the feeling of throwing the dice or seeing your opponent's face as you throw yet another double, but the internet can give you what internet gives best- online backgammon, 24 hours a day, without the time being wasted on arranging the game and without thinking where to put the backgammon board when your boss sees you. The fun about playing backgammon online is the availability to play as long as you wish, even for 3 minutes, against players from all over the world.
Playing online can even makes you richer- but this is only for the professional players.
If you do a survey among the online backgammon players, you would be surprised to learn that most of them play regularly online and rarely offline.
Step 1) Choosing the online site-
The internet has a wide variety of online sites. We recommend you begin with the big sites who offer backgammon games for fun and not only money. If you don't speak fluent English, look for a site that has the instructions in your language as well. A quick search in Google will give you the results, just click in and see whether the site looks professional or not, the professional ones will have games for money and for fun, schools, FAQ, support team. If you really are paranoid just fake a question and see if they contact you back. Keeping, at least in the beginning to the big and commercial sites makes you safer and will have more added values later on. Don't give any credit card details or any other detail except an email, and download the program.
Step 2) Learn How to play backgammon-
The online backgammon rules are the same as the offline. For those of you who don't how to play, you can read the article on our site on how to play backgammon and almost any backgammon site has the rules.
Most of the professional sites have schools for backgammon; this is a recommended way to learn quickly how to play- the computer shows you which moves are recommended for every dice.
Step 3) Playing against a real person-
In this stage you play only for FAKE MONEY!
After you register, you are awarded with the minimum points. Each time you win a match you earn more points depending on the level of your opponent and the points you agreed before. . The player's level of expertise is determined by his points. The site will offer you free of charge to enter "rooms" and ask players to play with you.
Step 4) Playing for real money-
You should be well trained before you start playing with your money. It is recommended to play in the backgammon schools in the advance mode, play for fun a lot and learn from other players by observing other matches.
The sites accept most of the credit cards since backgammon isn't considered gambling. The site collects a fee from the winner of each match in percentage and depends on the level of the players, the sums, and the differences between the levels of the players. In other words, basically the fee is higher the bigger difference in the player's level as an incentive for players to keep to their own league.
When you feel you are ready, it's time to choose an opponent.
Beware, although the level of each player is determined by its points, not all is what it seems. Although the points give you a perspective on the level of the player, it can lead to under valuate your opponent. Always remember that even if the best backgammon player in the world is playing, even he as a new player on the site starts with the minimum points and works his way up. In the past, some of the professional players tried to trick other players to play with them by registering under a different name and so starting with minimum points, but today only one player is allowed on each credit card, so rarely will you meet professional backgammon players who borrow their friend's credit card.
If you have more backgammon>/i>tips you think should be in the guide, feel free drop us a line.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Backgammon Online
The history of backgammon, the oldest known board game, is an interesting one that began almost 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Numerous variations of the game were adopted by other cultures throughout the history of backgammon. Archaeologists continue to discover many similar games in the ruins of ancient civilizations as they explore the intriguing history of backgammon.
The actual name for backgammon comes from a Welsh term meaning “wee battle.” However, the history of backgammon reflects many different names and versions. The aristocracy and slave population of Egypt and Greece played a similar game called, “senat.” The Romans changed the number of dice from two to three and called it “bac gamen” or “back game.” From the Roman civilization, backgammon moved to Persia, where it was again played with two dice in a game called “Takhteh Nard" or "Battle on Wood." During the time of the Crusades, the Anglo Saxon soldiers and traders played yet another version called “Tables” or “Tabula.”
Throughout the history of backgammon, the Church attempted several times to ban the game, but always failed. Cardinal Woolsey, in the 16th century, ordered all the boards burned, calling the game “the devil’s folly.” Burning the boards was useless, however, since any type of board could be drawn in dirt or sand and played with small pebbles. Dice were often handmade and were small enough to be easily concealed on a person or hidden in someone’s home. Furthermore, the English were very clever and decided to disguise the backgammon board as a folding book. Their innovative craftsmanship is still evident in the board we use today.
Edmund Hoyle, the famous writer and gamesman, documented the rules and the history of backgammon in the mid 1700’s. Colonists from England brought backgammon to their homes in America, along with chess and other board games of the times. Although the game of backgammon lost some popularity in the Victorian era, it quickly reappeared and gained strength in the 20th century. At this time, an unknown inventor devised the doubling cube, which offers players the opportunity to multiply their initial wager by the amount on the doubling cube. Of course, some strategy and experience is needed before using the doubling cube.
Tournaments, books, magazines, and clubs are now a part of the history of backgammon. The introduction of the game on the Internet has increased its popularity to an even greater extent. Backgammon is a fast-paced, challenging, and entertaining game of skill and luck.
The actual name for backgammon comes from a Welsh term meaning “wee battle.” However, the history of backgammon reflects many different names and versions. The aristocracy and slave population of Egypt and Greece played a similar game called, “senat.” The Romans changed the number of dice from two to three and called it “bac gamen” or “back game.” From the Roman civilization, backgammon moved to Persia, where it was again played with two dice in a game called “Takhteh Nard" or "Battle on Wood." During the time of the Crusades, the Anglo Saxon soldiers and traders played yet another version called “Tables” or “Tabula.”
Throughout the history of backgammon, the Church attempted several times to ban the game, but always failed. Cardinal Woolsey, in the 16th century, ordered all the boards burned, calling the game “the devil’s folly.” Burning the boards was useless, however, since any type of board could be drawn in dirt or sand and played with small pebbles. Dice were often handmade and were small enough to be easily concealed on a person or hidden in someone’s home. Furthermore, the English were very clever and decided to disguise the backgammon board as a folding book. Their innovative craftsmanship is still evident in the board we use today.
Edmund Hoyle, the famous writer and gamesman, documented the rules and the history of backgammon in the mid 1700’s. Colonists from England brought backgammon to their homes in America, along with chess and other board games of the times. Although the game of backgammon lost some popularity in the Victorian era, it quickly reappeared and gained strength in the 20th century. At this time, an unknown inventor devised the doubling cube, which offers players the opportunity to multiply their initial wager by the amount on the doubling cube. Of course, some strategy and experience is needed before using the doubling cube.
Tournaments, books, magazines, and clubs are now a part of the history of backgammon. The introduction of the game on the Internet has increased its popularity to an even greater extent. Backgammon is a fast-paced, challenging, and entertaining game of skill and luck.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Backgammon is thought to be the oldest game in the world
Backgammon is thought to be the oldest game in the world, and archaeologists have found backgammon sets that date from as long ago as 3,000 BC. It is a classic game of luck combined with strategy, as you must roll dice and then choose how best to move. The great thing about backgammon is that the rules are simple to explain, but mastering the game can take a lifetime. Unlike chess, the game is also quick to pick up and play, with games often lasting only a few minutes.
Basically, there are two sides on a backgammon board, each with twelve spaces, for a total of twenty-four spaces. These spaces are numbered from 1 to 24 in opposite directions for the two players, so player one’s space 1 is player two’s space 24, and so on. Where each players’ counters (checkers) are placed varies depending on the rules being used, but a common configuration is five on 6 and 13, three on 8, and two on 24.
To begin the game, you each roll one of the dice, and the player who rolls the highest gets the first turn using the numbers from both dice. The rule is that each number is a move, so if you roll a one and a six, you can move one checker one space and one checker six spaces.
This is where it starts to get a bit complicated, but stick with it. When you’re deciding which checker to move and where, you have to consider which moves are allowed. Your checkers can only move to spaces that have no checkers, only your checkers, or only one of your opponent’s checkers – you cannot move to any space that has two or more of your opponent’s checkers. However, if you land on a space where your opponent has only one checker, you have taken it and can put it on the ‘bar’ in the middle of the board. The bar counts as ‘space zero’ for dice rolls, and any checkers there must be moved before the others can be.
Basically, there are two sides on a backgammon board, each with twelve spaces, for a total of twenty-four spaces. These spaces are numbered from 1 to 24 in opposite directions for the two players, so player one’s space 1 is player two’s space 24, and so on. Where each players’ counters (checkers) are placed varies depending on the rules being used, but a common configuration is five on 6 and 13, three on 8, and two on 24.
To begin the game, you each roll one of the dice, and the player who rolls the highest gets the first turn using the numbers from both dice. The rule is that each number is a move, so if you roll a one and a six, you can move one checker one space and one checker six spaces.
This is where it starts to get a bit complicated, but stick with it. When you’re deciding which checker to move and where, you have to consider which moves are allowed. Your checkers can only move to spaces that have no checkers, only your checkers, or only one of your opponent’s checkers – you cannot move to any space that has two or more of your opponent’s checkers. However, if you land on a space where your opponent has only one checker, you have taken it and can put it on the ‘bar’ in the middle of the board. The bar counts as ‘space zero’ for dice rolls, and any checkers there must be moved before the others can be.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Backgammon early game strategy
In backgammon you need to be able to alter your play in a blink. Occasionally you will have to restrain yourself from attacking and build your game, other times you'll need to attack full steam. In the very beginning of the game you need to be aggressive, fast and straightforward. If you can reach your early game targets it'll help you a lot later.
The early game targets
1. Make points in the homeboard
There are two reasons why this is important. First, it will mess your upponent's game by limiting his chances to enter from the bar if you hit his checker. If you make to additional points his chances are much worse to get back to the game than if you would have only the six-point. Second, by making points in your home board also means that you those checkers are already ready for bearing off when the time comes.
Please remember that some points are more important than others. If you maneuver your checkers to the edge of the board or very close to it you limit yourself as to which checkers you can move. On your home board the most important points are the 5-point, then 6 and 4-point and then the 3-point in this order.
If you are unable to make points in your homeboard, make points as near to the homeboard as possible. If you manage to block points 7 through 12 you'll see how difficult it is for your opponent to escape his back checkers. In addition, making any points between 7 and 12 are excellent storage points for bringing the checkers in to your home board.
2. Escape your back men
While you are attacking and building points in and near your home board you shouldn't forget about your back men. If you do, a few turns later they might've got blocked or the distance to the rest of your checkers could be very long and therefore the escape can become a very risky one and could easily cost you the game. Therefore, from the beginning, move your back checkers up slowly towards your home board. Try to keep them in relative proximity to the rest of the checkers.
Doubles are very good for bringing the back men towards your home board. Use half of the roll for that purpose and use the other half making points somewhere else. Sometimes you will be rolling combinations that doesn't allow you to move both of your checkers well. In that case split your back men. This can be a little risky but if you play safe you'll never be a real backgammon winner. As soon as you can, bring your back men again together.
Conculsion
You are doing yourself a big favour if you maintain your focus and work hard towards your early game goals. If you don't you'll soon find yourself firefighting problems after one another and that's the type of game you most certainly will lose. So stay calm, and don't let things distract you from what matters in the early phases of the game.
The early game targets
1. Make points in the homeboard
There are two reasons why this is important. First, it will mess your upponent's game by limiting his chances to enter from the bar if you hit his checker. If you make to additional points his chances are much worse to get back to the game than if you would have only the six-point. Second, by making points in your home board also means that you those checkers are already ready for bearing off when the time comes.
Please remember that some points are more important than others. If you maneuver your checkers to the edge of the board or very close to it you limit yourself as to which checkers you can move. On your home board the most important points are the 5-point, then 6 and 4-point and then the 3-point in this order.
If you are unable to make points in your homeboard, make points as near to the homeboard as possible. If you manage to block points 7 through 12 you'll see how difficult it is for your opponent to escape his back checkers. In addition, making any points between 7 and 12 are excellent storage points for bringing the checkers in to your home board.
2. Escape your back men
While you are attacking and building points in and near your home board you shouldn't forget about your back men. If you do, a few turns later they might've got blocked or the distance to the rest of your checkers could be very long and therefore the escape can become a very risky one and could easily cost you the game. Therefore, from the beginning, move your back checkers up slowly towards your home board. Try to keep them in relative proximity to the rest of the checkers.
Doubles are very good for bringing the back men towards your home board. Use half of the roll for that purpose and use the other half making points somewhere else. Sometimes you will be rolling combinations that doesn't allow you to move both of your checkers well. In that case split your back men. This can be a little risky but if you play safe you'll never be a real backgammon winner. As soon as you can, bring your back men again together.
Conculsion
You are doing yourself a big favour if you maintain your focus and work hard towards your early game goals. If you don't you'll soon find yourself firefighting problems after one another and that's the type of game you most certainly will lose. So stay calm, and don't let things distract you from what matters in the early phases of the game.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Advanced Backgammon Strategies - Using the Doubling Cube
Although, the Doubling Cube is unknown to most of the backgammon casual players, it is an essential tool in advanced backgammon strategies and in money matches and tournaments.
This cube is designated for raising the stakes of the match and its introduction to the backgammon world is one of the main reasons for the rise of popularity of backgammon.
The cube has 6 faces and the numbers written on it- 2, 4, 8,16,32,64.
At the beginning of the match, the doubling cube is placed beside the board or on the Bar between the players.
Any player, who feels at any stage of the match, that he is leading sufficiently in the match, before throwing his dice, may suggest to double the stakes by placing the doubling cube with the number 2 facing up.
For example player A decided to raise the stakes.
Player B, his opponent, the player the offer is given to, after reviewing his situation, has two options:
He may refuse the offer and thus lose the game and one unit.
He may agree to double the stakes, and in this case the match continues with higher stakes.
Player B, who agreed to the offer, is now the owner of the doubling cube, meaning only him (player B) has the option to double the stakes again at any stage of the game.
If player B decides to do so, he has to do it on his turn before throwing his dice.
Now he takes the dice and places it so that the number 4 is facing up.
Player A, has now the same two options, only this time if he declines the offer he will lose two units, and if he agrees the stakes will rise to 4 times the original and the doubling cube returns to his control.
The cube can pass from player to player, each time raising the stakes.
The Crawford rule-
If you are playing a game until N- points, and your opponent is leading and reaches N-1 points, meaning he is short one point from winning the game, you are not allowed to use the Doubling cube in the following game, however, you can use the dice in the following matches if the game continues.
The reason is the weaker player will always want to raise the stakes because he has nothing to lose anymore and we want keep the use of the dice in fairness of both sides.
The Jacoby rule-
This rule is used in money games and never in match games. It decides that a backgammon or gammon may not be scored as such only if the cube has been passed and accepted. The reason behind this rule is speeding up.
The Holland rule-
The Holland rule is used in match games and decides that in post-Crawford games, the trailer can only double after both sides have played two rolls. The rule makes the free drop more valuable to the leading player but generally just confuses the issue.
Unlike the Crawford rule, this rule isn't popular, and is rarely used today.
The beavers, raccoons, otters and any other animals in the backgammon game-
These animals appear only, if wanted by both sides, in money games and never in match games.
If player A, doubles the stakes, and player B believes A is wrong and he (player B) has the advantage, B can double the stakes and keep the doubling cube on his side. For example, if A makes the initial double and puts the doubling cube on 2, B can say "Beaver", turn the cube to 4 and keep the cube at his side. If A believes B is wrong he can say "Raccoon" and turn the cube to 8. All this time, B remains the owner of the doubling cube. If B wishes to raise the stakes once more, he only needs to say another silly name (the animal's name is a controversy among players) and so on.
The Chouette-
Chouette is a version of backgammon for more than 2 players. One of the players is the "Box" and plays against the rest of the group on a single board.
Another player is the "Captain" of the group, who throws the dice and makes the moves for the group playing against the box.
If the Box wins, the Captain goes to the back of the line and the next player becomes the Captain of the team. If the Captain wins, he becomes the new Box, and the old Box goes to the end of the line.
The rules regarding the ability of the group to consult with the Captain changes from
version to version. In some versions of the Chouette the group can freely give advice to the Captain, and in other versions, consulting is strictly forbidden.
The compromised version is the most popular- consulting is legitimate only after the dice have been thrown.
Originally, Chouette was played with a single die .The only decisions that players other than the Captain were allowed to make on their own was concerning the takes: If the Box had doubled, each player on the team could take or drop independently. Today, a multiple-cube Chouette is more popular; each player on the team has his own cube, and all doubling, dropping, and taking decisions are made independently by all players.
This cube is designated for raising the stakes of the match and its introduction to the backgammon world is one of the main reasons for the rise of popularity of backgammon.
The cube has 6 faces and the numbers written on it- 2, 4, 8,16,32,64.
At the beginning of the match, the doubling cube is placed beside the board or on the Bar between the players.
Any player, who feels at any stage of the match, that he is leading sufficiently in the match, before throwing his dice, may suggest to double the stakes by placing the doubling cube with the number 2 facing up.
For example player A decided to raise the stakes.
Player B, his opponent, the player the offer is given to, after reviewing his situation, has two options:
He may refuse the offer and thus lose the game and one unit.
He may agree to double the stakes, and in this case the match continues with higher stakes.
Player B, who agreed to the offer, is now the owner of the doubling cube, meaning only him (player B) has the option to double the stakes again at any stage of the game.
If player B decides to do so, he has to do it on his turn before throwing his dice.
Now he takes the dice and places it so that the number 4 is facing up.
Player A, has now the same two options, only this time if he declines the offer he will lose two units, and if he agrees the stakes will rise to 4 times the original and the doubling cube returns to his control.
The cube can pass from player to player, each time raising the stakes.
The Crawford rule-
If you are playing a game until N- points, and your opponent is leading and reaches N-1 points, meaning he is short one point from winning the game, you are not allowed to use the Doubling cube in the following game, however, you can use the dice in the following matches if the game continues.
The reason is the weaker player will always want to raise the stakes because he has nothing to lose anymore and we want keep the use of the dice in fairness of both sides.
The Jacoby rule-
This rule is used in money games and never in match games. It decides that a backgammon or gammon may not be scored as such only if the cube has been passed and accepted. The reason behind this rule is speeding up.
The Holland rule-
The Holland rule is used in match games and decides that in post-Crawford games, the trailer can only double after both sides have played two rolls. The rule makes the free drop more valuable to the leading player but generally just confuses the issue.
Unlike the Crawford rule, this rule isn't popular, and is rarely used today.
The beavers, raccoons, otters and any other animals in the backgammon game-
These animals appear only, if wanted by both sides, in money games and never in match games.
If player A, doubles the stakes, and player B believes A is wrong and he (player B) has the advantage, B can double the stakes and keep the doubling cube on his side. For example, if A makes the initial double and puts the doubling cube on 2, B can say "Beaver", turn the cube to 4 and keep the cube at his side. If A believes B is wrong he can say "Raccoon" and turn the cube to 8. All this time, B remains the owner of the doubling cube. If B wishes to raise the stakes once more, he only needs to say another silly name (the animal's name is a controversy among players) and so on.
The Chouette-
Chouette is a version of backgammon for more than 2 players. One of the players is the "Box" and plays against the rest of the group on a single board.
Another player is the "Captain" of the group, who throws the dice and makes the moves for the group playing against the box.
If the Box wins, the Captain goes to the back of the line and the next player becomes the Captain of the team. If the Captain wins, he becomes the new Box, and the old Box goes to the end of the line.
The rules regarding the ability of the group to consult with the Captain changes from
version to version. In some versions of the Chouette the group can freely give advice to the Captain, and in other versions, consulting is strictly forbidden.
The compromised version is the most popular- consulting is legitimate only after the dice have been thrown.
Originally, Chouette was played with a single die .The only decisions that players other than the Captain were allowed to make on their own was concerning the takes: If the Box had doubled, each player on the team could take or drop independently. Today, a multiple-cube Chouette is more popular; each player on the team has his own cube, and all doubling, dropping, and taking decisions are made independently by all players.
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