Position 471

 How should White play 33 here:

Making a 5 prime will win a many games so you consider 13/7*(2):

Stick Rice always tries to work out the DMP play and use that as a baseline. He then factors in the Gammons won or the Gammons lost, to decide if that alters the move.

As a rule, priming tends to win more games, while blitzing tends to win more Gammons. This move does indeed win more games, but now Black has the chance to anchor, which means you will win fewer Gammons.

The correct play is the blitzing alternative 8/2*(2):

Now it is harder for Black to anchor on your 3 point, and less effective for Black to anchor on your 1 point. It will be easier for you to pick up a second checker, like the one on your 7 point.

You have 3 builders aimed at your 3 point. You will also make your 3 point with 55.

This gives you a 4 point board so that Black enters with fewer rolls, so you must win more Gammons.

It can sometimes be very tough to decide whether to blitz or prime, especially in a match. In a match, it is useful to ask yourself how badly you want a gammon.




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Position 467

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