[Bug-gnubg] Hint on cube decisions

[Kari Uusitalo]

Hi,

I am playing around with the GNU BG and tried to find info about what
excatly different lines mean in hint ouputs ofr cube selection.

For example, I have the cube in a certain game situation and the hint returns:

> > > > > > > >
Cube analysis
2-ply cubeless equity  -0.039
 0.479 0.108 0.002 - 0.521 0.105 0.002
Cubeful equities:
1. No double            +0.124
2. Double, pass         +1.000  ( +0.876)
3. Double, take         -0.433  ( -0.556)
Proper cube action: No redouble, beaver (38.8%)
> > > > > > > >

What exactly the different lines mean. I guess, the last line is the
most important and in this case I should not double. What does the
"beaver"-text in that particular line mean and what does the
percentage figure stand for?

In another situation the hint returns:

> > > > > > > >
Cube analysis
2-ply cubeless equity  +0.056
 0.524 0.121 0.003 - 0.476 0.114 0.003
Cubeful equities:
1. No double            +0.234
2. Double, pass         +1.000  ( +0.766)
3. Double, take         -0.212  ( -0.446)
Proper cube action: No redouble, beaver (36.8%)
> > > > > > > >

So, what is the best action here? Double?

Then I have been double and the hint returns:
> > > > > > > >
Take decision:

Equity for take: +0.433
Equity for pass: -1.000

Your proper cube action: Beaver!
> > > > > > > >

So, I should redouble/beaver? I noticed when playing human vs human
that the hint often returns "beaver" for both players until the cube
gets around 128. Is it really possibly that the best move for both
players is to beaver?

I'm quite new to backgammon and gnubg, so forgive any stupid questions..

BR,
Kari