2.8 Optional Rules

The following optional rules are in widespread use.

1. Automatic doubles. If identical numbers are thrown on the first roll, the stakes are doubled. The double cube is turned to 2 and remains in the middle. Players usually agree to limit the number of automatic doubles to one per game.
2. Beavers. When a player is doubled, he may immediately redouble (beaver) while retaining possession of the cube. The original doubler has the option of accepting or refusing as with a normal double.
3. The Jacoby Rule. Gammons and backgammons count only as a single game if neither player has offered a double during the course of the game. This rule speeds up play by eliminating situations where a player avoids doubling so he can play on for a gammon.