Position 415

 How should White play 61 here:

Your position is terrible, but you have finally rolled a number that gives you the chance to turn the game around.

You could make the relatively safe play of 12/11* 9/3:

To quote a friend “that move just hurts my eyes”. Your 3 point has 2 extra checkers on it that can only be used to make the 2 or 1 points. Black will easily enter with 32 rolls or 89% of the time.

This move creates 3 ugly stacks, and gives you an inflexible position.

Consider 8/2* 3/2:

This move has the advantage of making a new inner board point, and bringing the semi dead checker on your 3 point back to life.

The problem with this move is that Black enters from the bar with 27 rolls or 75% of the time, hitting you with 51, 41, 11 and 54 – 7 rolls.

Consider the double hitting play of 12/11* 3/2*:

Black hits from the bar with any 2 and 11 – 12 rolls or 33% of the time. But with 2 checkers on the bar, and a 2 point board, Black will only enter both checkers less than 50% of the time. If you are not hit here, it will be very easy to make additional points, especially your 2 point. You will have 4 builders aimed at your 5 point, 3 builders aimed at your 4 point and 3 builders aimed at your 2 point.

If you are not hit, you will have real chances to win the game. You want to avoid drifting into a losing position, and this move takes action to course correct and give you winning chances.