Editing Backgammon (section)

===Cube handling===

Two theoretical models provide a basis for cube handling, i.e. when to offer a double and when to accept an offered double. Both ignore the effects of gammons and backgammons.

* The ''dead cube model'' ignores the advantage the taker gets from having sole access to the cube. It estimates that the ''takepoint'' (i.e. the minimum game winning chances to accept a cube) is 25% and the doubling window opens at 50%.
* The ''live cube model'' assumes a maximum value for sole cube access (i.e. that the taker may use the cube most efficiently by either raising the stakes or doubling out the opponent). It estimates that the takepoint is 20% and the doubling window opens at 80%.

In practice, the takepoints and doubling points are somewhere in between, since while cube ownership cannot be ignored, assuming maximal efficiency for a re-cube is also not a valid assumption.<ref>https://www.bkgm.com/articles/Janowski/cubeformulae.pdf</ref>  Ignoring gammons and backgammons, the takepoint in money play is about 22%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GAMMONLIFE.COM - Backgammon Cube Strategy Made Simple |url=http://www.gammonlife.com/writers/simple-backgammon-cube-strategy.htm |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=www.gammonlife.com}}</ref>  All of the above ignores gammons and backgammons for either side, so in practice the calculation of takepoints is more complicated.<ref>https://www.bkgm.com/articles/Simborg/WhenToDouble/index.html "I wish there were as good a law for when to take the cube. No one I know has come up with a simple solution for this ..."</ref>