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This is the sort of difficult early game decision that I often get wrong. That said, I approach this position by first considering whether to split to the 20pt. Since I do not want to break the midpoint, the only other reasonable 4 is to hit loose inside, 7/3*, and then remake the 7pt with the 1. It is a dangerous split, to be sure, but the alternative is to sit back on the 24pt, and allow White to bring down more builders. I’m going to split. After that, I must decide whether push a checker forward to the 23pt, or diversify up front by playing 8/7. Putting a checker on the 23pt puts pressure on White’s stripped 8pt, in case he has to leave a blot there after hitting with a 3. But is also increases White’s attacking options by giving him an extra target. Because moving a spare onto the 7pt is a decent alternative, I don’t feel I have to take the risk of moving up. B (Both) = 24/20, 8/7 Mike | ||||||||||||||
