                       |
| ||||
| XGID=-b----E-D---dD---b-d-ba-AA:0:0:1:42:6:7:0:11:10 | |||||
| Blue to play 42 | |||||
In the following table, Bob's comments are in black. Casper's remarks are in red. Casper reviewed the doublets only. After that, he "stopped." No complaints. He went further than I did.
| Roll | 20 is best | 20 is somewhat better | tie | 9 is somewhat better | 9 is best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 11 is an edge to 20 not to 9 (after 9 it goes 6/5(2) 3/2*/1*, after 20 6/5*(2) 3/1* and I rather not have the checker on the 9 exposed) | 11: small edge for 9 | |||
| 12 | 21: big edge for 9 | ||||
| 13 | 31: small edge for 9 | ||||
| 14 | 41: significant edge for 20 | ||||
| 15 | 51: small edge for 9 | ||||
| 16 | 61: significant edge for 20 | ||||
| 22 | 22 I don't see as a tie | 22: tie? | |||
| 23 | 32: big edge for 9 | ||||
| 24 | 42: ? | ||||
| 25 | 52: big edge for 20 | ||||
| 26 | 62: ? | ||||
| 33 | 33: significant edge for 9 | ||||
| 34 | 43: ? | ||||
| 35 | 53: small edge for 9 | ||||
| 36 | 63: ? similar to 65 | ||||
| 44 | 66, 55, 44 I would give a significant edge to 20 | 44: small edge for 20 | |||
| 45 | 54: ? Similar to 63 | ||||
| 46 | 64: small edge for 9, I think the builder is better than slotted anchor there. | ||||
| 55 | 66, 55, 44 I would give a significant edge to 20 | 55: small edge for 20 | |||
| 56 | 65: ? Is the builder an asset or liability after their attack. Is the half anchor an asset or an easier target? | ||||
| 66 | 66, 55, 44 I would give a significant edge to 20 | 66: small edge for 20 |
I can see the advantages of 24/20. The Dillies have a two-and-a-half point board, with 9 checkers in the zone. They are well on their way in a priming game. If the Dillies cannot make a new point this turn, they will shore up their structure by bringing down wood or hitting loose.
When your opponent jumps out to an early lead in the priming game, the best answer is not to try to catch up in a prime-building race where you trail. The best tactic is to make an advanced anchor. That goes a long way towards neutralizing the prime. Here, the Dillies have a budding prime, but as yet, it is not so strong that we cannot boldly split.
Seen in this light, 14/9 is almost a nothing play. It does little to further our chances of making an advanced anchor. All the action is on the other side of the board. The Dillies are trying to make a prime. We are trying to get an advanced anchor. Whichever team is successful will have made a huge gain. 14/9 is largely irrelevant to that action.
Actually, in many sequences, 14/9 is counterproductive. As many have stated, the blot it creates is more a target than a builder.
If you think it is already too late to boldly split to the 20pt, then I could see hanging back on the 24pt. 14/9 would be the best alternate play. Note, however, that decision would not be based on the value 14/9 brings; it would be because 14/9 is the least harmful way to play a 4 after deciding that you must stay back.
Based on this reasoning, I am changing my vote to 24/20. Depending how you count Steve, that breaks our deadlock.
| Play | Votes |
|---|---|
| bar/23, 24/20 | Dan, Casper, Mike, gary, Havard |
| bar/23, 13/9 | Bob, mitokid, Chuck, Seth, jdg |
| Undecided | Steve (leaning towards 24/20) |
Captain's Decision: bar/23, 24/20
Mike