Position 388

 How should White play 51 here:

The safe play here is just to play 13/8 6/5:

I really like Paul Magriel safe versus bold criteria, they help you to decide whether to play boldly or safely. Here you have the stronger board, more checkers back, an advanced anchor, Black has an inner board blot and you are behind in the race. All of these are Paul Magriel’s indicators that we need to play boldly.

13/8 6/5 is just too passive.

You would really like to make a 5 prime, so you consider the hit and slot play of 8/7 6/1*:

This play has a number of issues. First you cover your 7 point with a 6, but you have duplicated 6’s as a 6 also covers the blot on your 1 point.

If you cover your 7 point with a 1, you have to you play 8/7 which breaks your 8 point.

Any 1 by black hits you from the bar, but also any 3 enters at the edge of your prime, and threatens to escape with any 6. If Black does enter on your 3 point, you could be forced to attack when you have a blot on your 1 point.

The best player is simply 13/7:

Now you will cover with any 6 or 1 as well as 51, 42, 33 or 22.

Although Black can hit you with any 6, you will have a direct return shot from the bar unless Black rolls 66 or 64. Even if they roll one of those numbers, you will have indirect return shots from the bar.




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Position 383

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Position 385

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Position 379

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