Cash game, center cube.

Should White double? If he doubles, should Black take or drop?

A key idea in understanding the proper use of the doubling cube on a practical level is that of the “benchmark” position. A benchmark cube situation is a position where one of the decisions (doubling or taking) is a toss-up, while the other is completely clear. Properly understanding a benchmark position is very useful since it unlocks the key to many related positions. Just compare your actual position to the benchmark, spot what the relevant differences, and you should be able to make a good cube decision over the board. Better players are aware of hundreds of good benchmarks, so they can make their over-the-board decisions quickly and accurately.

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Cash game, center cube.

Cash game, center cube.

Should White double? If he doubles, should Black take or drop?

We’re in the early stages of the game and White is contemplating a double. Some time ago Joe Sylvester developed a rule for evaluating early doubles. Sylvester advocated looking at three aspects of the position:

(1) Positional advantage (board strength, primes)

(2) The race

(3) Threats

A solid lead in two out of three areas usually translates into a good initial double. A lead in all three guarantees a good double and brings the take into question. Let’s look at all three features of the position in light of Sylvester’s Law and see what we get.

(1) Positional advantage. No one really has a priming structure yet. White has one more home board point and one more outfield point, but Black has his 5-point. Slight edge to White.

(2) Race. Huge edge for White, who leads in the pip count, 118 to 152.

(3) Threats. Another big edge for White, who has five crushing doubles (1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, and 6-6) plus another six rolls that make the 4-point (6-4, 6-2, 4-2). In addition, White can at least hit loose with most of his other numbers.

A big edge in two out of three categories certainly implies White can double. At the same time, Black has a pretty easy take. White only has three really crushing numbers (2-2, 4-4, and 6-6). Everything else gives Black a chance to anchor on his next turn, with a long game in progress. And of course, Black does have his 5-point, which is a big asset in his favor.