| I am ahead in the race. If I come in without hitting, I am not completely blocked; I can run when I roll any 5, 61, or 62. It is beginning to be the middle game. It is no longer the early game, where free-swinging, hitting exchanges are common. I must temper my occassional tendency toward overaggression. I can win without hitting. I do not need to volunteer a direct shot at two blots.
These are some of the thoughts that ran through my head as I put my opponent’s checker back on the 22pt, and meekly entered on the 23pt. What a mistake. I should have been thinking: I have my opponent outboard; let’s trade hits. He will probably only hit one of my blots; I may well cover the other. I am stripped everywhere, and most 6s will force me to break outside. The 9 dances are huge.
Hit, hit, hit!
Mike |
