The Beaver and The Raccoon

What is the Doubling cube?

The Doubling cube is a larger sized dice that is used to alter the value of each backgammon game in a match. Each game originally has the value of one point but with the cube this can be doubled as the game comes along. When it is his turn a player can proclaim that he wishes to double the worth of the game if his opponent accepts the cube will passed to his side and switched to the next number, meaning if it was on 2 it will pass and be turned to 4. The double must be announced before rolling the dice and once the doubling cube has been passed to a player only this player can make another double. The doubling cube is a rather new element but it is certainly of importance. By using it right a player can influence his final earning as he will win as many points as is the value of the ones showing on the doubling cube. Also relating to the doubling cube is the Crawford rule which states that when one of the players is one point away from winning then the following game will be played without the cube. This is a very popular rule that is widely used.

Beavers and other furry creatures

Having explained the basic workings of the doubling cube the terminology surrounding it can be better understood. Making a “beaver” means to accept a double but instead of taking it and simply holding it, call “beaver” and turn the doubling cube one more notch and then hold it. To illustrate, your opponent makes a double to 2 and then you say “beaver” take the cube and turn it to 4. After this you continue the game holding a 4. This expression has become common use in money play known as a “raccoon.”

If your opponent thinks that you made a mistake when you called “beaver” he can “raccoon.” This means that he turns the cube yet another notch which would be to 8 in the above given example. The cube will stay with you but if you then want to turn it yet another notch you'll do so while saying the name of another animal. What animal should be called is a matter of controversy but this could most likely be agreed upon before starting the game.

While this kind of language can be used in money games as players see fit it is never used in match play.

The original cube turner has the right to drop a beaver. If you realize that you made a miscalculation but you still doubled you can correct this when you notice it by dropping the beaver and pay the value that was on the cube before the beaver.

Gregory Peters - Game Analyst