Money Games
Because of its deep strategic elements Backgammon makes an excellent
gambling game. There are a set of Backgammon rules that are used
to dictate how money games are played. Before you begin playing
backgammon money games, we recommend that you get plenty of practice
on free games. Although gameplay may be slightly different where
people may make riskier moves, learning to understand and use those
moves to your advantage will make you a more successful money player.
Backgammon Rules Online recommends that you play on the Play65.com
website and get a ranking of at least 1600 before beginning to play
at money games. The following are backgammon rules which relate
more to money match play. Make sure you understand how it works.
It may help to spectate in a few money matches prior to participating.
Doubling Cube
The Doubling Cube is usually used to speed up match play or in
strategic advantage. Unlike a regular cube it is numbered with the
following: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64. The doubling cube can be used as
a very effective strategic tool. If a player believes he is in a
superior position, he may use the doubling cube to double the stakes
of the game. The cube can be offered multiple times during the course
of the game. The cube essentially is used to count the times the
stakes have been doubled. According to Backgammon rules if an opponent
declines to accept the ‘double’, then the he shall forfeit
the match. For example, if the stake of the game is 1 point and
a player opts to offer a double and the opponent accepts the stakes
are now 2 points. In a money game this would work the same. If the
stake is $5.00 and the game is doubled the stake is now $10. Backgammon
rules are very clear with regards to the position of the doubling
cube once it is in play. Before it is used it is placed midway on
the edge of the board with the number 64 face up. When an opponent
accepts the cube after a double, the cube is placed near his home
board to signify that he is the ‘owner’ of the cube.
Beavers – Beavers are a name for a backgammon
rule used during money play. This rule dictates that if a player
is doubled, he may offer to re-double instantly, in order to retain
the cube and the options it brings to the game. If the player who
originally doubled refuses to accept the ‘beaver’ the
player forfeits the win and loses at the doubled stakes. If he accepts
the ‘beaver’ the game will now be played at quadruple
the original stake.
Raccoons - This backgammon rule refers to a situation
where a player has accepted a beaver, and immediately redoubles
the stake.
Crawford Rule – Named after John R. Crawford,
a Backgammon player and an acclaimed author about Backgammon rules
and strategy. This backgammon rule is used exclusively during match
play. It states that if a player reaches within 1 point of winning
the match, his opponent may not offer a double and the doubling
cube is taken out of play. If the trailing player wins the doubling
can be used in the following game. We recommend that you read ‘The
Backgammon Book’ written by John. R Crawford and the author
of the Jacoby rule, Oswald Jacoby.
Jacoby rule - This is a backgammon rule named after
the backgammon player and author Oswald Jacoby. It used primarily
in money or match play. This rule states that gammons and backgammons
count for only a single game point if neither of the players has
offered a double. It is normally used to eliminate situations where
a player does not double so that he can continue playing for a gammon.
Oswald Jacoby and John R. Crawford have co-authored a very comprehensive
backgammon rules and strategy book called simply ‘The Backgammon
Book’. We recommend that you read this book as it holds very
interesting backgammon rules and strategic lessons, written by two
of the top backgammon minds in the world.
Tournaments – In most standard backgammon
rules, tournaments are usually played in elimination format. In
this format, half the participants are eliminated in each round
of play. The winner is the last remaining player. Tournaments are
very popular in online backgammon games. Backgammon Rules Online,
recommends you first play in regular match play before playing in
tournaments.
Rules for beginners |
Advanced Backgammon rules |
Money rules |
Strategy & Variations |
Glossary
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