Hi All,

I almost exclusively play online and I'm often dubious about online cheating... especially when the dice are totally wacky.

Just recently I've had a spate of people doubling right off the bat. Like, I win the roll, play my play (even if it's a fairly decent starting roll like 6:1 or 5:3), and on turn 2, i.e. right after I've played the first roll, they are doubling me.

It seems to me really odd... unless you're cheating.

Is this a known strategy that I'm unaware of?

Thoughts?

Before you ask, I'm using MS Internet Backgammon (in case that changes any opinions at all).

I had a look at MSN backgammon, which I think is the same site. There are a lot of beginners who play there so you can expect to get some strange doubling from people who are unsure of how to use the cube. Actually, I must also mention that you can play 5-point matches there and at some scores it is perfectly correct to double at the first opportunity but in a ordinary (cash) game it is a sign of inexperience.

In cash games on that site you gain/loose the same number of ELO points no matter what the value of the cube so if you want to improve your ELO you should never drop no matter how much of an underdog you are. I think the best strategy to gain ELO is to play like it is a DMP match.

On the whole it is not a good site if you want to improve your game but it is OK for passing time. The interface is quite good and I would recommend it if you want to play online with a friend as you don't need to set up an account to play. You can't download your match either.

I've been on MSN backgammon a couple of times and I concur with Trunky. A good site for passing time, but not if you're serious about improving your game.

Thanks for your comments guys. It's not actually the site, but the one that comes with XP (yes, I'm still using XP), but I think (not 100% sure) that it paths to the MSN site, as I still find a number of players despite being probably one of a few people who still use XP.

All the games are 3 point games, which is why my question. Yes, I imagine things change somewhat in a 5 point game, although the same can be said 'it's odd'.

Either which way, you're not calling 'cheat' on this?

Unlikely to be cheating on a site where no money is changing hands.

A good place to start to understand how to use the cube in a match is with the Five Point Match - By Kit Woolsey: http://www.bkgm.com/articles/GOL/Aug99/fivept.htm which includes 3-point matches.