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Due to time constraints, I've been limiting myself to posts with Nactation and early game positions. That said, since you asked and I've already participated in this thread, I'll make an exception. :)
This position seems straightforward to me. You're hoping to win a priming battle and if that fails you want multiple checkers hit to gain timing for a backgame. You therefore create blocking points where you can and put blots on the vacant points of a "blot prime" or combination "point/blot prime."
To that end, $ (Slot, 13/9 5/4) stands out; if Opp hits with a deuce, she must hit again when escaping with a 5. If she misses, Blue's play also gives him the best chance to maintain the blockade, or better yet hit White and cover one of his started points.
The only other play I'd seriously consider is P (Point, 8/4 5/4) as having the inside point is more powerful in some key variations. However, P is inferior in too many aspects:
- Blocking 6s is more important than blocking 2s, especially with White at critical mass.
- White will break her 9pt with her bad rolls (i.e., without 5 or 6), duplicating Blue's 6 and 1s. Blue's next-roll numbers rate to be better diversified after playing $ this roll.
- Blue's midpoint checker does not participate in the point/blot prime (except vs an immediate 65) whereas his 9pt checker does.
It is true (as mentioned elsewhere) that in this specific formation blocking 5s is a bit more important than blocking 6s (which points to 8/7 as a useful ace), but that is dwarfed by the benefit of getting the 5pt spare onto the 4pt.
Nack