Questions About The Win

Q. I finished the game first (the out player), but after adding up all the cubes, I lost by 16 points. Where did I go wrong.
A. You did not go wrong. Sometimes you gamble that the sweep (scoring your opponent's remaining cubes) will be enough to win the game. Or, you may decide to go out early to minimize your losses (points against you) knowing that your opponent has won the game. The best antidote is to score quickly and score big.

Q. My opponent has two Sets and one cube left on the grid. I have a 7th cube on the board that I plan to bear off for the win. But in a surprise move, my opponent pinched my 7th cube. Who is the winner in this situation.
A. I have bad news for you. It is known as sudden death. In the above scenario, your opponent becomes the out player. He/she scores the pinched cube, and then sweeps and scores all his/her remaining cubes on the board. Remember, when sweeping, only the top cube in each Set is scored.

Q. If the outcome of the game is inevitable, may I "concede" the game rather than continuing to "pass".
A. Yes. For example, if your opponent is ready to bear off his final Set, you can say "I concede the game" rather than passing, at which point your opponent sweeps all cubes and Sets on the board. A "concession" occurs when you have low cube points on the board and do not wish to rotate them up in value. It is possible to concede and still win the game, based on the points scored during the game.

A Draw Game

Q. I am in a position where I do not want to move any of my cubes. I pass. Since my opponent is waiting for me to move (so he can pinch me and win the game) he also responds by passing. So what happens if neither of us wants to make a move?
A. Though infrequent, this will happen from time to time. The rule is very clear. If no one agrees to move, the game ends in a "draw." There is no winner; no scores are recorded. Players clear the board and setup for the next game. Post note: The threat of a draw will generally force one player (the player in the lead that has the most to lose) to make a move, at which point the game continues to the end.