Each of the six positions has been rolled out for money (shown on the left) and also at a match score that was randomly chosen (right side). If, for some reason, we accept XG's claims below as gospel where is says "Best Cube action," then coincidentally, for each of these six positions, the cube action for money (on the left) differs from the match cube action (on the right).
Be on the lookout in a day or two for Peever-Petko Backgame Cube Action Part 2, Positions 7-12, from the same game.
My comments below apply only to the money game positions and not to those on the right taken from matches.
Position 1. Although Blue has an advanced anchor, he has no new offensive points. Leading by 36 pips with a pure position (no buried checkers), Blue is a significant favorite, but way short of a double.
Position 2. By unstacking his 6pt to make his 3pt, Blue has improved over Position 1. Blue should not panic when he sees that White has three defensive anchors, because White trails by only 46 pips, which does not give him enough timing to hold all three.
Position 3. Making his 7pt has improved Blue's position. White's third back checker on the 23pt and another on the 24pt are problematic. Blue now has a double.
Position 4. Blue has reestablished his midpoint, but White has made some progress advancing a back checker. Blue still has a double.
Position 5. White has improved his stock a bit by making some progress with his back checkers, Blue no longer has a double.
Position 6. Blue leads by only 21 pips and has seen his stock go down. Although at first glance it may appear that White owns only a two-prime, if Blue rolls 22, he is in for a bit of a unpleasant surprise.
