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Should I come under the gun?

Posted By: Chuck Bower
Date: Thursday, 5 November 2009, at 4:45 p.m.

In Response To: Should I come under the gun? (Timothy Chow)

Let's look at some candidates:

8/2. Only blot is in the homeboard, but you start a not very desirable point behind opp's anchor.

13/11, 6/2. A lot in common with 8/2. The builder on the 11-point is vulnerable to 6 shots, and it's not a blot you want to cover. If the choice were only between these two I'd be inclined to just play 8/2 which looks more balanced (e.g. four on the 6- and three on the 8-point).

13/7. In contrast to stopping on the 11-point (as in the previous candidate), you actually put a checker on a point you want to make. 11 shots but opp gives up the security of the anchor and leaves himself vulnerable to return shots by choosing to hit there, so it's not THAT vulnerable of a blot. Note Blue is behind in the race -- not so much behind as to be apathetic about getting hit but still, behind is behind.

(Now for the split plays.)

24/22, 13/9. Way too loose (even accounting for some duplication) with direct shots on both sides of the board and no anchor if things go badly.

24/22, 6/2. The split by itself isn't so bad but the blot in the homeboard gives White much less concern for making loose hits.

Synopsis: For me the choice is between 13/7 and 24/22, 6/2. If Blue sits back on the 24-point now, when will he leave it? White can make the 4-point with several rolls now. By stepping up, Blue does turn the barpoint checkers into builders (but that's already a good point and it leaves immediate returns). Note that White's checker on Blue's 3-point means sometimes White has concerns about making the point he'd rather have -- his 4-point.

If 13/7 (or any other alternative) were obviously a strong play I would stick with the anchor and make that play. But it's not. I know I want to get off the 24-point and although this isn't a glimmering opportunity, it may be the best one I'm going to get. As I said, the ugly part is 6/2, but "when it's right to split, close your eyes and split".

24/22, 6/2.

Messages In This Thread

• Should I come under the gun?
  Timothy Chow -- Thursday, 5 November 2009, at 1:33 a.m.
  • Should I come under the gun?
    garyo -- Thursday, 5 November 2009, at 4:18 p.m.
  • Should I come under the gun?
    Chuck Bower -- Thursday, 5 November 2009, at 4:45 p.m.
  • Rollout
    Timothy Chow -- Saturday, 7 November 2009, at 1:34 a.m.