Special Doubling Rules

While these special rules governing the use of the doubling cube are not used in tournament play, they are common when playing for money stakes. Because of this, it is up to the players to decide whether or not these rules apply if they are wagering on the game.

Beaver: If your adversary doubles and you feel he does not stand better that yourself, should you accept the challenge you have the right to turn the cube one grade higher without losing your normal right to redouble later. With a Beaver you can punish a premature double by your opponent. Since use of the beaver is the norm when playing for money, you have to agree with your opponent before the first game whether or not to use it.

Jacoby-rule: This states that a player can only win a Gammon or Backgammon if at least one of the players has turned the doubling cube beforehand. Should this not be the case, then Gammon and Backgammon count one point only. The point behind this rule is to keep the game from dragging on forever.

Automatic Doubling: If at the beginning of the game each player should throw the same number, then the doubling cube is immediately brought into action.

Refusal Of Opening Throw: Either player can choose not to make his opening throw and instead have the doubling cube turned to 2.

Note: Players need not view Automatic Doubling and Refusal as hard-and-fast rules, since their only purpose is to raise the stakes in a speculative fashion.