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Back in the 1980s, before I took a 20-year hiatus from backgammon, I played this according to the action-play philosophy of Magiel and Dwek. I played e = each [24/20 6/4(2)]. Obviously, M = Mayfair split [24/22 13/11 6/4(2)] or E = Each [24/22(2) 6/4(2)] would have been a better choice. Today, I know the bots give the nod to N = Near [13/11(2) 6/4(2)]. Locking up an offensive asset, and playing to contain the straggler that is still back, is evidentally more important than forcing an exchange of hits in order to recapture the escaped runner. A similar idea seems to motivate many of the replies to an opening 65, for instance 65R-52, but I don’t fully understand the theory has evolved to support the moves preferred by the bot. Any ideas? Mike | ||||||||||
