Backgammon basics: Doubling

Another basic move or tactic when playing backgammon is called doubling. This is a move that all backgammon players should also know in order for them to play the game at a level that will allow them to play with players of all experience levels. Backgammon is played based on an agreed stake for each point. Each game begins at one point. During the duration of a game, a player who feels that he has a great advantage over his opponent can propose to double the stakes. This offer to double the stakes can only be allowed at the start of that players own turn and before he has rolled the dice.

The player who is being offered the prospect of doubling can refuse it. But this refusal is not without some sort of penalty. When he refuses he concedes the game and pays one point. Otherwise, he must accept the offer of a double from his opponent and from thereon they will play for the new and higher stakes . The player who accepts the double becomes the owner of the cube and only he can make or offer the next double.

All of the following doubles in the same game are more commonly known as redoubles. If a player refuses a redouble, then he must pay the number of points that were at stake before the offer of a redouble. If the offer of a redouble is accepted then that player will become the new owner of the cube and the game continues at double the previous stakes. There is no limit to number or frequency of redoubles that can be offered in a game.