Position 397

 How should White play 11 here:

I want to remind readers that all positions are New Zealand money games, meaning that the Jacoby rule is not used. This means that you can both win or lose a gammon with the cube in the centre.

It is always nice to make your 5 point, so your first two 1s should be played 6/5(2).

Then you consider playing 7/5:

The nice thing about this move is that you duplicate 5’s for Black to hit and cover the blot on their 3 point. However, you will be hit with 2 extra rolls, when                              there is a safer alternative available.

Consider 8/5 6/5:

This move duplicates 4s to hit on both sides of the board. But now Black will hit you with 2 fewer rolls then after 6/5(2) 7/5.

The only asset you have acquired is your 5 point.

If both 5s and 4s are useful to Black on the other side of the board, maybe you want to get your 16 point closer to home with 6/5(2) 16/15(2):

When you need to clear your 15 point, it will be easier to clear than having 2 checkers on your 16 point. But the operative word is when, as that time will be further down the track.

The other problem with this play is that when Black hits you from their 22 point, Black’s race lead will increase significantly. Black also wants to hit from the 22 point anchor, as they want to leave the anchor and race home. Enabling them to leave their anchor and hit at the same time, really helps Black.

Consider 6/5(2) 8/7 16/15:

You have left 3 blots, but there is duplication of 4s and 3s to hit and cover on Black side of the board. You will have a much more flexible position, and most importantly now you have a 4 prime in front of Black's 22 point anchor.

A lot of players under estimate 4 primes. To quote Kent Goulding “four in a row is more than you think”. Especially when your opponent has either a lack of timing or more than one checker behind the 4 prime.

A 4 prime has defensive value. If you get into a blot hitting contest here, the fact that any hit Black checker will be sent back behind your 4 prime, should make Black more cautious. Black may still hit loose, but the cost of doing so has increased.

This is the correct move.





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Position 392