I was puzzled that 18/12 was so far down the list. Below are some variants to ponder. I welcome someone else to roll these out properly (shouldn't take long on a fast computer).
For money:

              
 
              
 | | White is Player 2
score: 0 pip: 72 | Money session Jacoby | pip: 79 score: 0
Blue is Player 1 | |
XGID=-BDABBB--------c--Bc-cc-c-:0:0:1:42:0:0:1:0:10 |
Blue to play 42 |
1. | XG Roller+ | 18/16 18/14 | eq: -0.633 |
| Player: Opponent: | 30.42% (G:0.18% B:0.00%) 69.58% (G:0.80% B:0.01%) | |
|
2. | XG Roller+ | 6/2 5/3 | eq: -0.635 (-0.003) |
| Player: Opponent: | 30.05% (G:0.28% B:0.00%) 69.95% (G:0.55% B:0.01%) | |
|
3. | XG Roller+ | 5/3 5/1 | eq: -0.642 (-0.009) |
| Player: Opponent: | 29.50% (G:0.29% B:0.00%) 70.50% (G:0.37% B:0.00%) | |
|
4. | XG Roller+ | 18/12 | eq: -0.645 (-0.012) |
| Player: Opponent: | 30.22% (G:0.37% B:0.01%) 69.78% (G:0.80% B:0.01%) | |
|
5. | XG Roller+ | 6/4 6/2 | eq: -0.645 (-0.012) |
| Player: Opponent: | 29.81% (G:0.28% B:0.00%) 70.19% (G:0.45% B:0.01%) | |
|
eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.21
Variant with White's outfield spare moved to her 6pt:

              
 
              
 | | White is Player 2
score: 0 pip: 68 | Money session Jacoby | pip: 79 score: 0
Blue is Player 1 | |
XGID=-BDABBB--------b--Bd-cc-c-:1:1:1:42:0:0:1:0:10 |
Blue to play 42 |
1. | XG Roller+ | 5/3 5/1 | eq: -0.398 |
| Player: Opponent: | 26.06% (G:0.21% B:0.00%) 73.94% (G:0.32% B:0.00%) | |
|
2. | XG Roller+ | 18/12 | eq: -0.435 (-0.037) |
| Player: Opponent: | 24.74% (G:0.25% B:0.00%) 75.26% (G:0.75% B:0.01%) | |
|
3. | XG Roller+ | 18/16 18/14 | eq: -0.508 (-0.110) |
| Player: Opponent: | 21.67% (G:0.06% B:0.00%) 78.33% (G:0.72% B:0.01%) | |
|
eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.21
Variant with closed board:

              
 
              
 | | White is Player 2
score: 0 pip: 72 | Money session Jacoby | pip: 80 score: 0
Blue is Player 1 | |
XGID=-BCBBBB--------c--Bc-cc-c-:0:0:1:42:0:0:1:0:10 |
Blue to play 42 |
1. | XG Roller+ | 18/12 | eq: -0.570 |
| Player: Opponent: | 31.79% (G:0.62% B:0.01%) 68.21% (G:0.47% B:0.00%) | |
|
2. | XG Roller+ | 18/16 18/14 | eq: -0.571 (-0.001) |
| Player: Opponent: | 31.73% (G:0.34% B:0.01%) 68.27% (G:0.46% B:0.00%) | |
|
3. | XG Roller+ | 6/4 6/2 | eq: -0.579 (-0.009) |
| Player: Opponent: | 31.45% (G:0.37% B:0.01%) 68.55% (G:0.38% B:0.00%) | |
|
eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.21
Variant with another dead checker:

              
 
              
 | | White is Player 2
score: 0 pip: 70 | Money session Jacoby | pip: 79 score: 0
Blue is Player 1 | |
XGID=-BDABBB--------c--Bc-cb-d-:0:0:1:42:0:0:1:0:10 |
Blue to play 42 |
1. | XG Roller+ | 6/2 5/3 | eq: -0.636 |
| Player: Opponent: | 29.74% (G:0.31% B:0.01%) 70.26% (G:0.56% B:0.01%) | |
|
2. | XG Roller+ | 18/12 | eq: -0.638 (-0.002) |
| Player: Opponent: | 29.98% (G:0.48% B:0.01%) 70.02% (G:0.64% B:0.01%) | |
|
3. | XG Roller+ | 6/4 6/2 | eq: -0.642 (-0.005) |
| Player: Opponent: | 29.58% (G:0.33% B:0.01%) 70.42% (G:0.56% B:0.01%) | |
|
4. | XG Roller+ | 18/16 18/14 | eq: -0.655 (-0.019) |
| Player: Opponent: | 29.70% (G:0.17% B:0.00%) 70.30% (G:0.66% B:0.01%) | |
|
5. | XG Roller+ | 5/3 5/1 | eq: -0.660 (-0.024) |
| Player: Opponent: | 29.20% (G:0.30% B:0.00%) 70.80% (G:0.30% B:0.00%) | |
|
eXtreme Gammon Version: 1.21