The strength of these programs lies in their neural networks' weights tables, which are the result of months of training. If the opponent drops the doubled stakes, they lose the game at the current value of the doubling cube. In 1975, Emmet Keeler and Joel Spencer considered the question of when to double or accept a double using an idealized version of backgammon. Either way, these players are using this knowledge to make tactical and strategic decisions and also for doubling considerations.

Checkers can enter on unoccupied points, or on points occupied by a single opposing checker; in the latter case, the single checker is hit and placed on the bar. If a checker is hit during the bear-off process, the player must bring that checker back to his home board before continuing to bear off.The Murphy rule is not an official rule in backgammon and is rarely, if ever, seen in use at officially sanctioned tournaments. Whenever a player accepts doubled stakes, the cube is placed on their side of the board with the corresponding power of two facing upward, to indicate that the right to redouble, which is to offer to continue doubling the stakes, belongs exclusively to that player. Different backgammon sets may also feature varying colour combinations, allowing players to distinguish between their pieces easily. There are also many relatives of backgammon within the tables family with different aims, modes of play and strategies.

Backgammon is a thrilling blend of luck and skill, which makes it an especially exciting game to gamble on. He also established the World Backgammon Club of Manhattan, devised a backgammon tournament system in 1963, then organized the first major international backgammon tournament in March 1964, which attracted royalty, celebrities and the press. An example of a "raccoon" is the following: White doubles Black to 2 points, Black accepts then beavers the cube to 4 points; White, confident of a win, raccoons the cube to 8 points, while Black retains the cube.

A player who accepts a double becomes the owner of the cube, which is placed on his side of the board (showing the new value). Backgammon is one of the world’s oldest board games, likely going back over 5,000 years to modern-day Iraq.

When a player decides to double the opponent, the value is then a double of whatever face value is shown (e.

In the most commonly used setup, each player begins with fifteen pieces; two are placed on their 24-point, three on their 8-point, and five each on their 13-point and their 6-point.