Yahoo games backgammon?

Question

when i don't accept a double, my opponent automatically wins the game.. why is this?

Answer 1

That's what is supposed to happen.  By not accepting the double you are conceding the game to your opponent.

If you accept the double, the game continues on... but now at double the stakes!  

Be careful about accepting... usually a player will only offer a double when they have an advantage.  Often is is BEST to decline the double, and lose one point, than risk playing on, and losing two points.  Obviously, you have to do your best estimate your chances of winning.  Usually it's best to accept if you have a 25% chance, or better of winning, for reasons which I won't get into here.

Answer 2

Those are the backgammon rules.  If you accept you take the chance your opponent will earn double the score, but you might win.  Or, you can give up and just give your opponent the points currently on the cube.  It adds strategy to a game which is mostly luck.