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BGonline.org Forums
Adjusting AtO
Posted By: Chuck Bower In Response To: Adjusting AtO (Stick)
Date: Tuesday, 28 March 2017, at 5:29 p.m.
I think there are far fewer opportunities to tailor your checker player according to opponent than there is your cube decisions. There are certain checker situations that arise outside of the early early game but they are somewhat rare.
I've heard this argument before, and if you are playing someone with a 3 PR deficit, then it makes sense. But what about 6, 9, 12 PR worse?
So, when might you play someone that bad? Club night, side events at tournaments (e.g. blitz and DMP/quickie, Seniors, etc.). How about in a chouette? Even in Open events (MCWC come to mind?) there can be double digit PR players.
My point is quite vague, I admit, but here are some situations/properties where a very weak player can be taken advantage of by checker play modification -- Timidity: hesitancy to hit loose in his homeboard, failure to hit twice (after hitting once), overly committed to anchoring (and holding an already made anchor) instead of hitting or running. Poor understanding of matchscore playing: e.g. not realizing or understanding the value of the free drop, as in trying to either win gammon or avoid losing gammon when all it gets is 1.5% MWC when it succeeds. Overly aggressive players: hit every blot without considering the consequences. Superstitious players and luck-believers? That's a whole category unto itself.
At DMP, how many weak (and even intermediates) understand that when you are behind in the race you want contact at the expense of safety?
So, bottom line is that as skill difference increases there are more opportunities to squeeze out extra equity with AtO checkerplays.
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