What is Doubling in Backgammon? Strategies & Tips

Backgammon is an old, old game. By some accounts, this game — or, at least a precursor to it — was being played some 5,000 years ago. What’s remarkable about backgammon is that, despite being thousands of years old, the gameplay remains pretty similar to how all our ancestors used to play the game.

There’s one rule of the game, however, that your ancestors (well, beyond your grandparents/great-grandparents) will not have used, and that’s ‘doubling.’ This is a relatively recent addition to the game; it was added in the 1920s as a way to make backgammon more thrilling. And once you know what doubling is all about, you’ll be inclined to agree: it really does add another layer of excitement to backgammon.

Still, despite being part of the game for some one hundred years, the majority of casual backgammon players not only don’t use the doubling feature but don’t even know what it is.

On this page, we’ll run through the ins and outs of doubling, including what it is, how it’s used, when you should deploy it, and more. Want to get to grips with doubling in a more hands-on manner? Then play a few games at 247backgammon.org. When you’re setting up your game you’ll have the option of activating doubling or not.

Understanding the Doubling Cube

The doubling cube is a way of “raising the stakes” in a backgammon cube. You can think of it as a weapon that either player can pick up at any moment, and once they have, the trajectory of the game can shift significantly.

The cube initially sits in the middle of the board, untouched, and accessible to both players. On the cube you’ll find the numbers:

• 2
• 4
• 8
• 16
• 32
• 64

You’ll have noticed that those numbers are doubling each time, hence the name. Those numbers refer to the number of points the winner will get if they win — if you ordinarily get one point for a victory, the double cube could make it 2 points. Redoubles can occur, on and on, until 64. At that point, that single-point victory would be worth 64 points.

If you’re only ever playing casual, one-off games, then you probably don’t need to know about doubling, since it only applies to tournaments and match games, when scores for winning individual games are tallied at the end.

Rules of Doubling in Backgammon

Doubling is an intriguing component of backgammon, but you’ll need to know all the rules! If you thought that it was a magic button that would automatically get you more points for your victory, then think again.

First of all, let’s think about when doubling comes into play. Anyone can elect to offer the first double provided it’s their turn. If it’s accepted, then the power to double is put in the other players’ hands. If they use it (doubling again from 2 to 4), then it’ll again shift hands. It goes back and forth like this all the way to 64 (which, we should add, is pretty rare!).

While you may offer a double, your opponent doesn’t have to accept. However, if they decline, they’ll forfeit the match, and you’ll get the point.

When to Double in Backgammon

As we said above, the doubling cube will be sitting there in the middle of the board, ready for either player to use it. So, how do you know when to use it?

There are a few scenarios that make sense, including:

When You Have a Strong Lead

Note that we said ‘strong lead,’ not ‘overwhelming lead that will surely result in your victory.’ If you have a subtle lead, offering a double can help you to get more points on the board. Alternatively, the player will decline and you’ll get the point.

When Your Opponent Might Be Gammoned or Backgammoned

A gammon or backgammon victory is worth more points. If there’s a chance it’ll happen, then use the doubling cube — it’ll help you to get even more points.

When You Want To Add Pressure

The temperature in the match increases when the doubling cube is used. If you want to put your opponent under pressure, then using the cube really can make them squirm.

Doubling Cube Strategy Tips

The doubling cube can be a great ally on your quest for glory, provided you use it correctly.

If you have a small, but confident advantage, then doubling can help you get the most points from the game. You can also use it as a tactic to put pressure on the other player, especially defensive players.

You can even use the doubling cube if you’re in a losing position, though it’s worth noting that this is a risky move. If you can see a slim path to victory and have nothing to lose, then go for it!

The Impact of Doubling on Scoring

Doubling can have a dramatic impact on scoring. After all, it multiplies the base score. A single game is worth:

• 1 point for a standard victory.
• 2 points for a gammon victory.
• 3 points for a backgammon victory.

The doubling cube, used once, would turn them into 2, 4, and 6 points, respectively. If it’s used multiple times, then the final awarded points will be significantly higher.

Common Doubling Mistakes to Avoid

You can see why new backgammon players are eager to use the doubling cube. After all, who doesn’t love the thought of adding another layer of drama to proceedings?!

Still, it’s best to be cautious. If you have the slightest of leads, or virtually no lead at all, then it’ll be too risky of a move. It’s also best to avoid doubling out of desperation if you’re losing in an attempt to put pressure on your opponent. It won’t work if they’ve already earned a commanding lead!

Mastering the Doubling Cube Use

The best way to master the doubling cube is to use it, see what it does to the game, and learn. It can be a powerful tool when deployed correctly, but equally, it can also put you in a worse position than before.

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