Position 336

 How should White play 54 here?

All you have to do is get your checkers home to win the game. In order to do that you have to determine how much risk you are willing to take and consider what other factors are in play.

The riskiest move that wins the most Gammons is to go 10/6 8/3:

This wins the most Gammons because if you are not hit, you will have the best chance of making your 3 point and your opponent could stay on the bar a long time.

This move is also the riskiest as your opponent hits you with a direct number from the bar, not an indirect one like all the other alternatives. This risk is just too much.

Consider 9/4 8/4:


This brings 2 checkers into your board safely, and only leaves 1 outfield blot. The problem with this move is that you always want to clear the point 6 or 5 pips away from your opponent’s anchor. Those are the points that will leave the most shots. If you cannot clear those points, you want to start to clear those points. This move does neither, so you should look for something better.

Consider 10/6 9/4:

This starts to clear your 10 point, but leaves 3 blots. This is too many blots, as it gives your opponent lots of hits from the bar, and is very hard to tidy up if you are not hit.

Consider 10/1:

This move leaves 2 outfield blots but has one subtle advantage, Black needs to roll a 5 or 3 to enter, and when they do, they will need to roll a 5 or 3 to hit. This duplication means that they will have less overall hitting numbers.

If Black enters but cannot hit, it will be easier for you to tidy up your blots.

If Black enters on their 22 point but cannot hit, you will have 3 builders aimed at your 3 point, and could end up making your 3 point or pick and passing.

This is the correct move.



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