How should White play 44 here? You have just rolled 16 pips so you consider running from the 18 point with 18/6 8/4: This would be a good play if you are ahead in the race by more than 4 pips after the roll. This is because the average roll is 8 pips, and if you are ahead in the race by 4 pips with your opponent on roll, then the race is exactly even. Here, you are effectively behind in the race and your rear most checker is alone by itself, unable to make an anchor. Kit Woolsey said “when ahead in the race then race, when you are behind in the race then seek contact”. You seek contact by building a strong board so that when you hopefully get into a blot hitting contest, you will emerge the victor. You could make the best two points with 8/4(2) 7/3(2): Now if your opponent hits you loose on their 7 point, you will have returned shots with 65, 64, 63, 61, 52 and 43 – that is 12 rolls or 33% of the time. This all looks good, except the stack of checkers on your 6 point looks ugly