Position 407

 How should White play 62 here:

This is from a match between two very good players. The score has been removed as it was early in the match.

A world-class player played 11/3:

The good news about this play is that you are threatening to make a 5 prime. Unfortunately, it is harder to prime a single checker, as it is easy for a single checker to escape. Also, you would like to be behind in the race when you are priming (as you can keep your structure for longer), but here you are ahead in the race.

The bad news is Black will hit you with any 6 as well as 51, and if they do not hit, they have many rolls that will make an inner board point or their Bar point.

You consider the hitting play 24/16*:

Although this puts you ahead in the race, and partially escapes a checker, you will be hit by Black with any 3, as well as 62, 61, 52, 51, 42, 41, 21, 22 and 11. That is 27 rolls, or 75% of the time. Note that 11 hits twice.

This move is just too risky, so you consider 13/7 3/1*:

This move gives you a 4 prime and puts Black’s checker on the bar.

There are many problems with this move, any 1 hits but also any 3 or 2 without a 1, let’s Black enter on a point where they can jump over the 4 prime with a direct number. As you are ahead in the race, and only priming one checker, you really do not want to be playing a priming game.

Consider 6/1/ 3/1:

This move puts Black on the bar, creates a 4 point board and stops Black improving their position with their many builders.

With 16 rolls, Black will stay on the bar. Your 4 point board will be an asset for the rest of the game. Some players dislike making the 1 point, as it means that they will not be playing a priming game. But Black cannot hit you from the bar and will have to be more conservative for the rest of the game.

If this is early in the long match or an unlimited game without Jacoby (as many games are in New Zealand) and Black does not enter, then this is too good to double. With Jacoby, it is a clear pass.

Everybody makes mistakes, even the best players in the world. They become the best players in the world by looking at their mistakes and learning from them.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Position 411

Image
 How should White play 11 here: You have two types of play with 11 here, first the put Black on the bar play of 5/2*/1: The idea here is, you are trying to close out Black and win more Gammons. This is a nice theory, but this play wins 4% less games and 3% less Gammons.  Also, as you will only have one of Black’s checkers on the bar, you will only win about 3% Gammons. The problem here is your 63, 62 and 61 play very awkwardly. If you leave a shot and are hit, you will win less games and less Gammons. Other rolls like 54 may make your 2 point, but your 4 point will still be open and Black could enter and escape, then get lucky and win the race. The best play is to just make a 6 prime with 7/4 5/4: Now you can use any awkward 6 to hit 8/2* and still keep your 6 prime. You do not care if your opponent hits you from the bar because they will use up a lot of timing, particularly if you stay on the bar. Then their board will collapse and you will frequently get more shots at ne...
Read more for the solution»

Position 405

Image
  How should White play 42 here: “if in doubt hit” is a common saying in backgammon, so you consider 8/6 8/4*: The problem with this play is that you leave 3 blots around the board and invite a blot hitting contest where Black has the stronger board. You will be hit with any 4 as well as 53, 33, 31 and 11. That is 17 rolls or 47% of time. How about hitting and lifting with 8/4*/2: Although you are hit with far fewer shots from the bar by Black, the game has a long way to go so you do not want to create a semi dead checker on your 2 point. And you will still have 3 blots around the board. You are behind in the race, but do you really want to hit? Consider tidying up some blots and minimising shots by playing 17/13 9/7: You will be behind in the race by 17 pips after the roll, but you leave only one blot. Black has two blots around the board and will need to do something about them, especially the blot on your 4 point. You will have 3 builders aimed at the blot on your 4 point if the...
Read more for the solution»