Has anyone else experienced this? I love to play with a cube in any BG game but I notice that I seem to do all the doubling and I have yet to see anyone double me even when it's obvious that my opponent will win. I don't ever expect to see a four point game at this site. I also see a lot of accepting the double when it is warranted. Could or would the Monkey give a brief lesson to people who are afraid of it or think it is not cricket to use it? If you are playing for $10 a point in a real face-to-face game, it is sometimes wise to double your foe and sometimes not to take a double. Please let's discuss. RENEEEE
I always look at the situation, will I win if I offer a double? If I see that the game is definitely going to be a win, I offer a double to end the game and go on to a new one. ;0)
I think this subject has come up earlier, the consensus (wish I could spell) was that doubling was interesting when the doubler was not in a sure fire win situation. At over times, like when they know they can't loose it shows lack of interest in the game, un-gentelmany conduct and very poor sportsmanship. After all, most of us play the game for fun, not the outcome. If you place bets on games on this site then shame on you.
It has come up a few time. Yes we do play for fun, but it's more fun to win. Is there a line somewhere between hitting buttons at random and spending an hour analysing each play that is acceptable "fun" play. Taking the game seriously is still fun and need be no less social.
In a match, the outcome of the match is more important than the outcome of any individual game. I'm learning that judicious use of the cube is as important to that outcome. Using it at any appropriate point is no more bad sportsmanship than hitting a checker or filling up the home table to stop somebody re-entering. It is most fun to use the cube when you think you have recognised a winning position before your opponent can predict the outcome. There is no shame, however, to offer the cube in order to finish a clear cut win (I'm happy when it is offered to me in that way) and move on to the next game. I'm not sure how this shows lack of interest in the match or is unsportsmanlike.
There are dozens of things that make somebody a good or not so good player. For some reason there are those who see the cube as something other than a normal part of the game. I accept that it may only have been introduced in the 1920s but that feels like long enough ago. There is a cubeless match option here but anybody who chooses to play with the cube must accept the all of the implications of how it will be used.
Good call Reneeee, if you can get anyone to give guidance here it would be fab.
the flip side to people who double to end the game more quickly are those who refuse to resign when the game cannot be won. yes this is mostly a social site and the folks are friendly but the games take long enough as it is, why drag things out? players routinely resign games in real life when they cannot be won why should here be any different?
I have sometimes offered some advice on doubling, and am willing to again if there is interest.
To start: there are clear cases when a double is called for based purely on probabilities calculable in your head. When bearing off, consider a case when you have four checkers on the last position in your home area, and your opponent has three mirrored. You have 6 chances in 36 (about 17% chance) of getting all off on your roll (due to doubles), and on the other 83% of cases, you will get off in two rolls. Your opponent to win, would have to get the 17% chance (doubles). In other words, your opponent only has about a 14% overall chance of winning vs. about a 86% chance of losing. (Ignoring extreme cases based on match scores), you should double. If opponent accepts, that opponent takes 14% chance of +2, for 86% chance of -1 for an "expected value" of -.6 pts. Over the long run, a clear loser. This situation and the probabilities get modified in obvious ways when the pieces are placed slightly differently. -e.g., the double 1s are out, making it 5 in 36 to win next turn, etc. Enough for a start. I am not presenting myself as an expert, but may be helpful to some.
2, 3 and 4 roll end game doubles are pretty straightforward. the player on roll is the favorite and its a double/drop situation. i would also say if you got to that point someone, somewhere missed a double earlier in the game, assuming the cube is just now being turned. the real challenge is doubling in the beginning/middle of the game. are you too good and play on for the gammon or double them out now? if doubled do you have a take? these are the types of decisions that separate the beginner/casual player from the expert/world class one.
Perhaps incorrectly, I understand the desire for advice in a forum such as this to be aimed at the relative beginner, and not to the more experienced players who likely have read books. My own experience is that there are many players here who do not understand, or who do not apply their knowledge, in straightforward cases. For the example I cited or similar cases, in illustration, I have had many opponents accept such a double. I suspect many did not know the probabilities involved. To your point about likely having missed the opportunity of doubling earlier when reaching such a situation, I do not agree, unless it is your contention that one or the other player might have had a reasonable double earlier. Reasonable of course does not necessarily imply a missed opportunity.
if you run your matches through GNU or snowie then reasonalble DOES in fact mean a missed opportunity.
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