Money Play vs. Free Play

GulBara · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 19

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the difference between playing backgammon for money and playing for free. Is there any difference in the rules or strategy? Thanks.

GammonGo · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

There really isn’t much difference between playing for free and playing for money. The main difference is that people get more serious with using the doubling cube in money play. The rules are also the same, with the exception of the Jacoby rule.

In money play the Jacoby rule is enforced. This rule states that gammons and backgammons don’t count for 2 or 3 points unless a double has been offered during the game. If neither player has doubled during the game then the winning player will receive 1 point for the win, no matter what the position of his opponent’s checkers is. This rule tends to speed up the duration of the game because it keeps players from avoiding doubling because the situation is “too good to double” and they are waiting for a gammon or backgammon win. It also adds a little more excitement to the game because if you double when you are in a position that you will have the chance to win a gammon and your opponent accepts you double then you win four points. However, if your opponent declines and forfeits then you only win one point.

Aside from this, money play tends to get a little more competitive, as players have something to lose.