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Bot Battle #148

Posted By: Chuck Bower
Date: Sunday, 14 June 2026, at 11:43 p.m.

In Response To: Bot Battle #148 (Jason Lee)

What's going on here? White clearly wants to prime Blue's back checker and is in excellent position to make the 5th point of that prime. Blue would *like* to build a prime as well but that's going to be more difficult with White at the edge and Blue having two checkers already past the back of the potential prime. 13/9 with either 7/2 or 6/1* appear to be the only path to completely trapping White, but even with that extremely lucky scenario the timing is on White's side so Blue likely would have to break. However, a 5-prime is nothing to sneeze at, even if it is "less than you think." :)

Here's a thought although I don't know how sound it is: would Blue be better off with a second checker back on White's side, allowing him to anchor (preferably high)?

There are quite a few candidates but I'm going to rule out giving up the 8-pt and also hitting loose on the acept. That leaves:

A) 2(2) -- this is the only play that doesn't leave a direct shot, treading water to see what White does. However, White has something like 34/36 good to decent rolls (bettering the prime) with 44 and 66 being the ones I'm not including there.

B) 13/8, 13/9 -- slots the back of the 4-prime but strips the midpoint.

C) 13/8, 7/4 -- leaves the best builder distribution but reduces the chances of extending the 4-prime.

None of those looks great. Do we need to jettison the ban of hitting loose? 13/8, 6/1* delays some of White's building rolls (including 4/36 fans). Is that really the right tactic? Note that this might accomplish getting a second checker sent back to make an anchor. It also slots the back of the 4-prime and keeps a spare on the midpt. White still happily gets to play 4/36 fives (although duplicated) but note that 16 and 26 aren't great either. 44 doesn't accomplish much.

Crazy looking but I've talked myself into this potential whopper.

13/9, 6/1*.

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