Position 373

 How should White play 21 here:

First a reminder that all these positions are played as New Zealand money games, meaning without Jacoby. If it helps just think of it as the first game in a 25 point match.

When a giant was confronted with this position, he did not want Black to make a 5 prime so hit 24/21*:

This play removes a slot, puts a Black checker on the bar in costs Black the most amount of pips.

What is not to like? If Black rolls a 4, then you will have another checker behind Blacks 4 prime. To quote Kent Goulding “4 in a row is more than you think”. This is especially true, the more checkers you have behind your opponent’s 4 prime, the harder it is to escape them.

If Black rolls a 3, then they will anchor and that will be the end of your blitz.

Any 4 or any 3 is a total of 20 rolls, so 56% of the time you will not be happy.

Consider the correct play of 13/11 4/3*:

The way to think about this position it is in terms of gameplan. As you, White have made your 2 and 1 points, you are blitzing. The golden rule when blitzing is do not to allow your opponent to anchor. So, you have to you hit 4/3. Then 13/11 gives you more covers should you need them.

Why do I say should you need them? Because you should double if your opponent stays on the bar:

A lot of players would be tempted to take this as Black, as they do have a 4 prime. But you lose 49% Gammons if you take as Black here, so you need to pass.

I showed this to a second Giant, who also got it wrong. This is a tough position.






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