Position 392

 How should White play 21 here:

White is a great chance to hit both checkers here by playing bar/24* 6/4*:

This move does indeed win 4% more Gammons, but unfortunately wins 6% less games.

The issue is that any 4 for Black will hit from the bar which is 11 rolls, and also 33 from the bar play bar/22(2) 12/9 4/1* will make Black a 64% favourite. That is a total of 12 rolls, or 36% of the time.

You could also have trouble escaping your checker on the 24 point as you do not have much timing.

Compared this to bar/24*/22:

Now you will only be hit with 7 rolls from the bar – 33, 41, 43 and 31. That is 5 rolls fewer or 14% fewer times you will be hit.

You will have a much easier time escaping, possibly picking up Black’s checker on your 13 point.

If Black does not anchor with a 4 or 31, then you will have 3 builders aimed at both your 4 and 3 points.

Sometimes it really is as simple as how many return shots from the bar you give your opponent.





Comments

  1. M19March 27, 2025 at 8:51 AM

    Hi Grant ! How can we guest the good move without the score of the match ? Would you play exactly the same if you were trailing in the game or if you were Gammon Go for instance ? Thanks

    ReplyDelete

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