So I'm teaching a friend backgammon. Complete blank slate to work with. Before me, her backgammon knowledge is zero. Game play is still slow and will be for a while but it's much better than teaching someone with a recreational/non-serious knowledge of backgammon. I don't have to correct any bad habits (a puppy dies any time someone plays 13/8 with an opening 3-2 or 4-1). First thing she did when I opened my board was pick up the cube and ask "what's this?" I gave her a basic explanation of the cube and told her we are not going to touch that for a while. We've just been playing 1 point matches. By that, I mean I'd tell her the prescribed ways to playing opening rolls and on alot of moves, I'd explain what she should be trying to accomplish and/or avoid in certain situations. Kind of like coaching her on how to play against me.

So, when do I introduce the cube into play? One of my backgammon mentors suggests after 10 hours of play or 1 month after being introduced to backgammon, whichever comes first. I'd like to know what you guys think.

I don't have a good timeline in my head. I know that the cube is an important and often underrated aspect of the game. Not knowing how to use it will hurt you. But at the same time, you need to have a basic knowledge of how backgammon works. I just don't know how much backgammon you ned to know before the cube won't totally confuse you and turn you off the game.

I'd be more inclined to bring it up earlier rather than later. Something along the lines of "when you think are a fair bit ahead, try doubling". This will lead to discussions of why you are/are not ahead, and will start to show her what she needs to be thinking about.

Speaking as someone who only recently started thinking about this, I think I would have been better off if it had been a feature from the word go. Yes, it can be confusing, and some of the decisions look really counter intuitive, but that's what backgammon seems to be.

People I have taught to be successful backgammon players = nil, however, so best of luck!

In other games you don't leave out half of the rules when teaching the game. Why should backgammon be any different? I strongly suggest teaching the cube at the first game. Not because it will make them better players with the cube. The main reason is because it sparks more interest in the game.

I always set up basic endgame positions and explain a little bit of cube theory. Afterwards, every single time (and I have taught many people backgammon from scratch) they are convinced of the skill of the game. They are more intrigued by backgammon as a whole. Also, they all love the cube.

Teach it from the start, and start them off with the simple 75% 25% doubling strategy, letting them know it is sub-optimal but a good starting point for beginners.

Assuming you're playing every day, I'd wait a month or so. The first job is to play enough so she starts to see what kind of positions come up and how they develop. At that point you can talk about doubling because she'll have some idea of how a game is likely to proceed from any given point.

Experienced players have a hard time putting themselves back into the mindset of a complete beginner. They forget how confusing everything looks at first.

Much depends on the individual learner. A graduate student in math who loves Settlers of Catan will need a different approach than a plumber who quit games 20 years ago when his six year old brother kept beating him at Battleship. Know your audience.

I think Mario and Luigi would be offended at your presumption that plumbers are of inferior intelligence.