Using the Doubling Cube Against a Weaker Player

The doubling cube can be used as a very powerful weapon against your opponent, even a weak one. Some players think that this is overkill, but seeing as backgammon is not a game of pure skill, you want to eliminate opponents as quickly as possible to get rid of the possibility of luck coming to bear against you.

First of all, you want to trade on a player's lack of skill and use it as much to your advantage as possible. When a double is accepted, the game must be played to its conclusion. This will give the players with weak skills more time to manifest themselves. You will benefit from the errors in play they make.

As we all know, there is no cap on the doubling levels. Taking it up to the upper levels will obviously put one player way ahead of the other in the match. If your opponent has gotten on an unusually good run of rolls, you may find yourself on the wrong end of this one sided score. Don't panic though, a lopsided score will often prompt a cube handling mistake from the opponent. A serious error with the cube by your opponent can either expand your already healthy lead, or bring you back into the game in short order.

In a situation where the score is pretty close to equal, the weaker player will probably play a more conservative game, and hope for a break. This is the right play for them, and you don't want them making the right plays. The more luck element you remove from the game, the better your game is. Aggressive use of the cube is a good way to prompt some errors out of your foe.