Doubling questions

Jennifer · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

Let’s say that I decide I want to double. I reach for the doubling cube and have it in my hand but at the last minute change my mind and I decide I don’t want to double. Am I legally committed to double because I have touched the cube?

On the other hand, let’s say that I haven’t thought about doubling and I grab the dice and roll. One of the dice lands on the board, one falls on the floor so I have to roll again. Because this roll didn’t count and the situation is as it was before I rolled, can I made the decision to double at this point instead of re-rolling the dice?

What are the rules surrounding doubling in these matters?

Quadrant · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 20

These are questions that I’m sure have stirred up a bit of controversy over the years…anyhow, the general rule for doubling is that if you pick up the doubling cube you have committed to doubling. Obviously, if you are picking up the doubling cube because it fell on the floor or something it doesn’t count, but aside from those sorts of instances this is the rule. If you pick up the doubling cube with the intention of doubling you can’t go back.

As far as your second question goes, once a player has rolled they can no longer double. Whether or not the roll was successful or not has no bearing on the players ability to double. The player has already made his decision to roll and not to double and may not go back on this decision. You CAN however, begin to shake the dice and then change your mind and double. This is permissible.