Advice on Doublets

Hedge · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 18

I consider myself pretty good at most aspects of backgammon except when it comes to moving doublets. What can I do to prevent irritating blunders on this move? Any tips out there that someone might want to share with me?

yendi · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 16

Here are some tips that I have gleaned through my years of experience playing backgammon regarding doublets:

• Take it slow. When dealing with doublets, there are possibly hundreds of possible plays on the throw, with dozens of them considered ‘reasonable’. In comparison, when dealing with non-doublets, there are very few moves that could be considered reasonable. If you have the tendency to play doublets too quickly, you may very well find yourself in trouble because we didn’t take the time to consider the consequences of our moves.
• Doublets could be used to your advantage in the long run so think of them as long-term investments to your game. Making a new point or two is no less important than hitting a blot with your doublets and could actually be more advantageous in future moves of the game.
• Separate Doublets. As tempting as it is to move doublets in pairs (as most of us are prone to do – call it instinct!), try to separate them and move them individually. If the four moves are made separately, you stand a better chance of not making a blunder.