backgammon
Backgammon is played as a series of games, with the winner of each game earning one point. The overall winner is the first to reach a set number of points, say 5. So in this example, the first to win 5 games takes the crown. Alternatively there may be a set time limit or a set number of games and the person with the most points at the end wins.
If you want to play for money you can either set a fixed stake for each game, or for the match, both players put their money down and the winner takes the pot, or you can agree a monetary value per point, so that the more points the winner gets, the bigger their prize.
Seems straightforward? Yes indeed, but this simple system is spiced up by the addition of the doubling cube which brings an exciting gambling element to the game.
The doubling cube:
The doubling cube is used to raise the stakes in an individual game. The stakes may be points or a sum of money, depending on the type of game being played.
The doubling cube looks like a large dice but with the numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 on its faces. It is initially placed in the middle of the bar with the 64 face up, though its actual value at the beginning of the game is 1 (there is no 1 face). As long as it stays in this position the stakes remain at their original level.
If you reach a position in the game where you feel confident of winning, on your turn and before you roll the game dice, you can choose to turn the doubling cube to 2 to announce a double. This challenges your opponent to double the stakes of the game. The other player must now make a decision: either accept the double and continue the game at a twice the stakes, or refuse the double and concede the game for its current value.
If your opponent accepts the double they take control over the cube. The option to use the cube now rests with them. If at some point they feel that the game has turned in their favour they can redouble, turning the cube to 4. The decision is now yours as to whether you will accept the redouble and take over the cube, or concede the game.