Cube Theory Simplified

by Phil Simborg
23 November 2009

Phil Simborg

As all experienced backgammon players know, understanding take points and value of gammons at every possible score is critical in match play. It affects not only your cube decisions, but your checker play as well. Knowing when it is important to protect from getting gammoned and when it is important to try to win gammons even changes some of your opening moves. Knowing when you are at a score where you should be thinking about giving the cube quickly, or giving it as soon as there are reasonable gammon chances is critical.

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Subject: Re: Cube Theory Simplified

From: Bill093532

Date: 24 Nov 2009 20:25 EST

great article phil.

Subject: Re: Cube Theory Simplified

From: docgammon

Date: 28 Nov 2009 11:56 EST

Excellent article ... and I have a question. If our break even on a money game cube is 25%, does it stay the same for match play?

Subject: Re: Cube Theory Simplified

From: PhilSimborg Member has a photo available

Date: 30 Nov 2009 09:41 EST

The break-even on a money game is 25%, but that is assuming there are no gammons or backgammons. Match play doesn't have a true "break even" point, but rather a "maximum take point" whereby your match winning chances are about the same whether you take or drop at that point. So if you have greater chances to win by taking in a particular position, again considering gammons and backgammons, you take--otherwise you drop.

The 25% number does approximately apply to many match scores, but not all. For example, when both players need 2 points to win the match, the take point is around 32%, so you have to have a much stronger game to take than you would in a money game.

The article above discusses these difference in greater detail.

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