Can someone explain doubling cube in money/match games?
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 14
Is it correct that doubling cube should not be used in games til 1 point?
If it is a money game, there should always be a doubling cube, correct?
But what if it's a money game until 3 points?
How to use the cube if you are playing a match for money?
When you play money games, the doubling cube affects the bet, but will it affect the points as well?
Thank you!
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 483
The Wikipedia article on Backgammon has a pretty basic explanation that can get you started.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 720
People don't use the term "money game until 3 points"
You either play a "money game" or a "match". If you play a money game, there is no limit to number of points you can win or lose in a single game. If you play a 3 point match, and bet $10 on the match, the first player to get to 3 points wins $10. There's no point in getting the cube higher than 4. Similarly, if you are playing a 1 point match, there's no reason to use the doubling cube.
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,954
You're confusing the ideas of "money game" and "a match for money".
In a money game, you and your opponent play as many games as you want for a given stake. The cube is in use in each game, and you can win and lose as many points as you want. Players keep a running total of points won and lost, and when the players decide to quit, they settle up. They might break even, or one player might be up 10 points, or one player might be up 100 points.
In a match for money, you and your opponent agree to play until one player gets to a certain number of points, then you settle up. So, for instance, you might agree to play a match to 5 points for $100. The first player to get to 5 wins, and he wins $100.
Tournament matches are played with a rule called the Crawford Rule, which says that when one player gets to within one point of victory, the cube isn't in play in the next game. Let's say we're playing a match to 5. In the first game, you win 1 point. In the next game, I win 4 points. Now I'm leading 4-1 to 5, and I'm within 1 point of victory. In the third game, the cube is not used. If you win the third game and the match continues, you can now use the cube again.
Before starting a match, you and your opponent should agree on whether or not the Crawford Rule is in play. Using the Crawford Rule, however, makes for a better and more interesting match.
