the game playing strategy to backgammon can be divided into 3 main factors:
1-luck,it is partly a game of chance.
2-various advance/block ploys.many involving the key factor of bumpng opponents blots to add to his points or blocking opponent so as to delay point reduction.
3-unique to backgammon(thus its strategic appeal),is the act of doubling a cube.declining=game forfeit.thus this is an excellent way to judge an opponents & your own skill & experience.as well as gambling on the amount of games lost.

without the cube,it is not real backgammon.
the wisdom of this is lost to the novice player.