43 play
Igor Sheyn
: This came up in a chouette during the New England Championships with me
: in the box:
:
: 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 b
: -----------------------------------------------------
: | X O | | O O X |
: | X O | | O X |
: | O | | O |
: | O | | O |
: | O | | |
: | |BAR| |
: | | | |
: | | | O |
: | X | | O |
: | X X X | | X O |
: | O X X X | | X X X O |
: |_______________________|___|_______________________|
: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
: X to play a 4-3 (cube in the middle)
Easy money take, I wouldn't double, but one could make a case for
close cube.
your actual play, 24/21, 11/7, while looks pretty and smart, actually
allows O to consolidate his position. He can make point, escape,
double hit, hit in outfiled. . I say 24/20, 11/8 is better, going all
the way for contact. As far as other plays go, 11/4 is not good for
the same reason as your play. 8/1* stills half roll, but u need at
least another checker in your outfield to threaten if he enteres on
4. Besides, if he dances, it's not so clear for me you have a cash.
So I'd be choosing between 8/4, 7/4 and 24/20, 11/8.
Igor
Kit Woolsey
: This came up in a chouette during the New England Championships with me
: in the box:
:
: 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 b
: -----------------------------------------------------
: | X O | | O O X |
: | X O | | O X |
: | O | | O |
: | O | | O |
: | O | | |
: | |BAR| |
: | | | |
: | | | O |
: | X | | O |
: | X X X | | X O |
: | O X X X | | X X X O |
: |_______________________|___|_______________________|
: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
: X to play a 4-3 (cube in the middle)
: A) 11-7 8-5
: B) 11-8 24-20
: C) 11-8 13-9
: Other possibilities:
: D) 8-1*
: E) 8-4 7-4 (followed by a cube if O doesn't hit on my bar or roll
: something like 11 or 33)
: F) 11-4 (I think it's Robertie's book that comments players often slot
: against 2 checkers back but don't think of is vs. one checker back. In
: fact, I didn't see this play at the time, and while I think other
: choices are better, I don't think this is worse.)
: Bonus question: Should I have cubed before this roll? I don't think I
: gave it much thought during the play but looking at it now I'm wondering
: why I didn't. (Any double is quite strong, 42, 64, and 65 are also great
: shots.) Given the strength of X's position, A has an advantage of being
: a very low volatility play.)
My reflex play would be the simple 24/20, 11/8. There are several
reasons for this:
1) Making the 8 point is a definite plus. Never underestimate the value
of locking up an important asset. You never know when it will come in
handy later in the game, as a crucial landing place or blocking your
opponent's joker.
2) Leaves no direct shots on your side of the table. This is also
important. Since your opponent has only one man back, the last thing you
want is to be on the bar while this checker is fleeing.
3) Splits the back checkers. This is also very valuable, particularly in
this sort of position. Right now O's position is a stacked up mess, but
if you leave him alone he will get his builders into position and start
to make points, equalizing the game. By splitting now you force him to
act before he is ready. Granted you won't like it if he points on you on
the five point, but it is hardly the end of the world and if he rolls a
number to make the five point he will do so whether you are there or
not. However, just look at the trash you make of most of his other
numbers. For example:
1-2: Instead of being able to bring his builders down, he either has to
stack up on the eight point or hit loose and risk getting hit back when
you have the stronger board -- neither is an attractive option.
1-4: Will make the bar point anyway, but you are clearly much better off
being split up to his five point.
1-5: A bad roll regardless, but really ugly if you have split.
2-3: Instead of comfortably bringing two builders down, his play is a
nightmare.
2-4: Now he must settle for the nine point and an awkward structure,
while if you let him along he will make the four point and have good
distribution to follow through.
3-4: Instead of bringing some builders down, he has a nightmare and will
have to leave a direct shot.
3-5: He can't comfortably make the three point while his blot on the 11
point is under attack.
4-5: A great running number with the back man, but not so great when he
also has to worry about the blot on the 11 point.
4-6: As above.
These are just some of the examples. In short, 11/8, 24/20 does good
things on both sides of the board with great upside and not much
downside. No other play comes close to accomplishing these objectives.
Even though X has an advantage, he does not yet really have a double. O
has escaped one back checker safely, and the other is hiding back on the
ace point out of harms way. O hasn't started to develop his offense, but
his men are decently placed to do so quickly. X has two men back, a
clear disadvantage in that respect. Also X really doesn't have that much
going in the way of strong threats. Easy take for O if X doubles, and
while a double would not be terrible I think it is a bit premature unless
you think there is a chance that your opponent might err and pass. Since
there is clearly some doubt in the minds of some players about this, it
looks like a double would be ok.
Kit