Author: Orad Reshef

  • Pip counting

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    Orad Reshef

    As we’ve seen in the last module, knowing the pip count can be critical to many decisions in a backgammon match. Fortunately, the exact count is provided in mobile apps and in online play. However, when playing over the board, you need to figure out the count for yourself! In this module, we will learn…

  • Doubling in closeout positions

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    Orad Reshef

    Gary managed to bear all his checkers in and had even started bearing them off, but you luckily landed a shot and stopped him. You then managed to close him out! You think you’re the favourite, but are you ahead enough to double? If you do, should Gary take? The cube action for a position…

  • Market losers

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    Orad Reshef

    When you’re considering doubling, one thing you need to keep in mind is if it’s necessary to double at this moment. Typically, you want to delay offering the cube for as long as possible, to creep as close as possible to Point ③ in the spectrum at the very right edge of the doubling window.…

  • Cubeful and cubeless equity

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    Orad Reshef

    In our introduction to the doubling cube, we described, in terms of win percentages, why a player that’s trailing would be willing to accept a double. In a real backgammon game, both plays must consider gammons, which make the story more complicated (albeit way more interesting). For example, compared to a game with 70% win…

  • The doubling window

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    Orad Reshef

    Let’s first enumerate the different types of cube actions. It’s customary to describe the action for both players for a given position. The common cube decisions are as follows: These decisions lie on a spectrum, illustrated below: As you go left from right, the strength of your position is improving: at first you shouldn’t be…

  • Score-based cube actions

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    Orad Reshef

    Mastering the doubling cube is hard to do; however, in certain conditions, the decision can be automatic. Below are some cubing scenarios that arise often during matches that tend to surprise newbies, but make perfect sense when you think about it and should be committed to memory. Post-Crawford automatic doubles (1a cubes) As we’ve mentioned…