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501 Essential Backgammon Problems #33

Posted By: Taper_Mike
Date: Wednesday, 21 August 2013, at 11:45 p.m.

In Response To: 501 Essential Backgammon Problems #33 (Igor)

Hit or Split?

Although the 3 is easy enough, I have a hard time choosing a 5 here. Spliting and playing down looks just as good as splitting and hitting.
  • S = Split = Z = Reverse split = 24/21, 13/8
  • X = Hit and split = 24/21, 6/1*
The pure play, S, provides balance. It reinforces the stripped 8pt, and bids for an advanced anchor in relative safety. There are no rolls that would allow opponent White to both make an anchor and make the 4pt. Considering that Blue has only 8 checkers in the zone, and that the race is still close, this quiet move could work out well.

The tactical play, X, also has its merits. If Blue plays the passive S, White has many good rolls.

Play Roll
Make 1pt 55
Make 4pt 11 42
Make 4pt and 2pt 44
Make 4pt and 11pt 22
Make 5pt 61 31
Make 7pt 66 64 41
Make 11pt 52 43 21
Make 18pt 65 63 51
Make 18pt and 10pt 33
Make 18pt and 11pt 62
Hit loose on 4pt 54
Hit twice on 4pt and 1pt 32
Lift both blots 53

In fact, White would have no bad throws. His only mediocre rolls are 21, 32, 53, 54, and 55, but by no means are these poor.

Hitting would leverages Blue’s stronger board. The tempo gained by forcing White to use half his roll to enter from the bar would take the sting out of many of his rolls.

I’m for splitting with S, but the hit is probably not far behind.

Mike

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