Doubling Strategies in Online Backgammon

If you play online backgammon for real money, you are aware of the presence of the doubling cube. The doubling cube is an integral element of real money online backgammon, and the strategy for using it is as much a part of the game as how you play your dice rolls.

Strategies for Doubling in Online Backgammon

You should double when you can put the most pressure on your opponent. Remember that doubling not only doubles the stakes of the game, it gives your opponent ownership of the cube if he accepts. This means that any time you offer the cube and it is accepted, your opponent has twice the ability to put pressure on you as you did on him. For this reason, you should try to double when you are significantly ahead, but the outcome is still in doubt. Doubling in a game that is still very close and could shift with one well-timed double is generally not recommended. An exception might be if an opponent needs a double on the next roll to win the game, but will otherwise lose. You should also not double if you still have a good chance to gammon or backgammon your opponent, as he will accept and save considerable points.

Strategies for Accepting Doubles in Online Backgammon

The rule of thumb is that you should accept the double if you think you will win the position at least 25 percent of the time. This can be shown mathematically. You play four games and drop every time you are doubled for a loss of four points. If you have a 25 percent chance of winning and instead accept every double, you will lose three times for six points and win once, winning two points, for an aggregate point loss of four points. More Backgammon Strategies

If you want to learn more about strategy backgammon play, one suggestion is to look at some poker strategy articles. Many poker articles discuss the importance of healthy money management, something that can be applicable on real money backgammon play as well.