Invite Options

GridGammon Backgammon offers a variety of play options. When you invite someone (or are invited), you indicate which options are in effect for that match. Options can be renegotiated before the match begins using the controls in the Invitation window.

Match Options

The left side of the Invitation window displays the match options. Choose among standard Backgammon, Nackgammon, or Hypergammon). You can also select cubeless variants of these games if you prefer not to use the doubling cube.

Match Play

Match Play

Select Match Play to play matches between 1 and 25 points (guest members are usually limited to 3 point matches). Check the rated checkbox to play the match for ratings points. (Note that only GridGammon members may play rated matches, and guests may only be able to play shorter matches.) The Crawford rule is in effect for all Match Play.

The League Match checkbox indicates that this match will be a league match. When playing a league match, GridGammon will set the correct match length automatically. The GridGammon server will automatically report the results of the match to the league coordinator.

Money Play Options

Point Play

Select Point Play to play an open ended series of games. Point Play is also commonly known as "Unlimited" or "Money Play" (even if no actual money is at stake.) Point play continues until one player leaves the match. Point Play games do not affect either player's rating. Point Play games always use the Jacoby rule.

When the Beavers option is enabled, whenever one player offers the double, the receiving player may accept, decline, or beaver. Here's how beavers work: If your opponent doubles, you may accept the double, decline the double, or beaver the double. If you beaver, the cube value doubles again (turning from two to four, for example) and you keep control of the cube.

When the One automatic double option is enabled, whenever the opening roll of a game is doubles, the cube will automatically turn to the next number. There can be only one (or no) automatic double per game, additional opening doubles do not turn the cube.

The Non Standard Warning: warning

Since Beavers and One automatic double are considered non-standard, you will see a small yellow alert icon to indicate that. The icon is also shown when the selected game is nackgammon, hypergammon, or one of the cubeless variants.