Game Rules & Modes

Game Modes

Dice Chess currently offers two primary modes of play. The core game mechanics remain the same across both modes, but the betting structure differs:

• Classic: The bet amount is fixed before the start of the game. Players cannot increase or change their bets while the game is ongoing.
• X2: A dynamic mode where players are given the option to double the stakes (x2) during the game, adding a layer of psychological strategy similar to backgammon.

X2 Doubling Mechanics

When a player offers to double the stakes:

1. Accepted: The opponent accepts and the bank value doubles in the next state. Both players continue with the new stakes.
2. Declined (or timed out): The opponent declines the doubling offer (or runs out of time to respond). The game ends immediately and the declining player loses.

Doubling offer timing

A player can offer a double before rolling their dice, in place of a normal dice roll. This means the doubling offer happens when it is the player’s turn but they have not yet rolled.

API data pattern for declined doubles

When a double is declined, the API data shows the following sequence at the end of the game:

1. The last real dice roll — the previous player rolls dice but may have no legal moves (all dice allowed: false). Their turn ends normally.
2. The turn passes to the opponent. Instead of rolling, the opponent offers a double. The API produces a state with:
   • gameMoveHistoryMove === null
   • The same (stale) dice array from the previous roll (values identical)
   • Active color switches to the opponent
3. Several more states follow with identical dice, identical FEN, and no moves — these represent the doubling negotiation window where the other player declines or times out.

The frontend detects this pattern by scanning backward from the last state and identifying consecutive no-move states with identical dice arrays. Navigation pauses at two points during the trailing sequence — first showing “offers double”, then “declined double” — mirroring the two-step display used for accepted doubles.

Betting Limits

Players can choose to play games for fun (with a bet of 0) or wager in-game currency against their opponents. The platform supports specific, predefined bet tiers:

• Free Play: 0
• Low Stakes: 1, 3, 5, 10, 25
• Medium Stakes: 100, 300, 500
• High Stakes: 1K, 2K, 5K
• Pro Stakes: 10K, 25K, 50K

Time Controls

We offer a variety of standard time categories tailored for different play speeds: Bullet, Blitz, and Rapid. Time controls are denoted as [Starting Time] + [Increment].

🚅 Bullet

Extremely fast-paced games where quick reflexes and intuition are critical:

• 1m + 1s
• 2m
• 3m
• 3m + 3s

⚡ Blitz

The most popular format, offering a blend of fast play with enough time for tactical calculations:

• 5m
• 5m + 5s

⏱️ Rapid

For players who prefer extended thinking time and deeper strategy:

• 10m
• 10m + 10s

Related

• See Trainer Algorithm for the exact training-mode playback and pause logic.