Backgammon Scoring and the Doubling Cube
A backgammon game is worth one point — until the doubling cube gets involved, at which point it can be worth thirty-two.
The three win types
| Result | Condition | Base points |
|---|---|---|
| Single | Opponent bore off at least one checker | 1 |
| Gammon | Opponent bore off none | 2 |
| Backgammon | Opponent bore off none and still has a checker in your home board or on the bar | 3 |
The doubling cube
Either player may offer to double the stake before rolling. The opponent either refuses — conceding the current value — or accepts, taking ownership of the cube. Only the owner may double next, which is what keeps the escalation controlled: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32.
Multiplication in practice
A gammon at a cube value of 4 scores 8 points. This is why a player far ahead will often double: not to win more, but to force a concession before the position turns.
The Crawford rule
In match play, when one player reaches one point short of the match, the next game is played without the cube. Without it, the trailing player would double every game with nothing to lose.
Frequently asked questions
An optional rule letting the player being doubled immediately redouble while keeping the cube. It is common in money play, rare in match play.
Considerably. Trailing 4–0 in a 5-point match, a gammon wins outright, so aggressive play that risks a loss but chases a gammon becomes correct.