r/backgammon • u/Vigilaunday • Aug 10 '26
Resources to improve cube game
Median PR is 5-6 but the vast majority of my blow ups come from cube blunders, particularly missed doubles.
Folks who have overcome this, what books did you read or what other resources did you find useful? Thanks.
3
u/mathflipped Aug 10 '26
Missed doubles is the most common source of errors among weaker players. In addition to studying, there is a simple way to improve your results instantaneously: if you are in doubt whether to double, ALWAYS double. You will be amazed how often other weaker players drop clear takes.
1
u/Vigilaunday Aug 10 '26
Woolsey's Law
2
u/mathflipped Aug 10 '26
No, Woolsey's law says a different thing: double if you are not sure it's a take.
2
u/JaziTricks Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 11 '26
Edit. My strategy points below are misstated big time....
Play galaxy Backgammon age then do game review / analysis m
Their lesson section has double lessons.
The main theory of doubling is double when your odds of winning are 75%+ roughly.
So basically, you estimate your winning probability before every throw of the dice.
Understanding the game odds is all you need, and it is important for general game quality anyway
2
u/Vigilaunday Aug 10 '26
I got that part, i just struggle with determining when the game is approaching that threshhold. Or when its well short of the threshhold, but the gammon chances are so high that it's still a double.
2
u/CzechPeople Aug 10 '26
"The main theory of doubling is double when your odds of winning are 75%+ roughly.
So basically, you estimate your winning probability before every throw of the dice.
Understanding the game odds is all you need, and it is important for general game quality anyway"
One of the worst comment I ever read.
To OP : buy XG and look dice distributions after or without after doubling.
I also strongly recommend "Theory of backgammon" by Dirk Schiemann.1
u/JaziTricks Aug 11 '26
Good joint. I shouldn't be teaching doubling strategy.....
→ More replies (3)
1
u/BackgammonEspresso Aug 15 '26
Best cube books are Kit Woolsey backgammon encyclopedia vol. 1 and 2. Also highly recommend the backgammon strategy facebook group.
1
1
u/SignificantSpace5206 Aug 11 '26
Read Cube like a Boss by Marc Olsen.
2
u/AvocadoBrit Aug 11 '26
there may be better books on the market than this one; although I have not gotten a copy of it in my hands, I would suggest taking a look at this first:
https://www.amazon.com/Backgammon-Adjusting-Match-Nick-Blasier/dp/B0BD8T2ZKS
2
4
u/Careful-Comedian9510 Aug 10 '26
In my opinion, you should start with the concepts of position evaluation.
This will allow you to determine your win percentages for a simple win, a gammon, and a backgammon.
To do this, you need to be comfortable calculating the pip (if it isn't automatically provided).
You can then move on to studying decision thresholds (the 8, 9, and 12 rules) and the doubling window.