is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 147

11 point match

pip: 151 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=---Bb-D-C---cDb--b-bbAb-A-:0:0:1:53:4:1:0:11:10

to play 53

1.	Rollout1	24/21 13/8	eq: -0.252
	Player: Opponent: 44.29% (G:6.72% B:0.23%) 55.71% (G:8.65% B:0.29%) Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.256...-0.249) - [100.0%] Duration: 4 hours 20 minutes
2.	Rollout1	24/21 8/3	eq: -0.336 (-0.084)
	Player: Opponent: 42.13% (G:6.64% B:0.19%) 57.87% (G:9.58% B:0.33%) Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.340...-0.332) - [0.0%] Duration: 3 hours 58 minutes
3.	Rollout1	24/21 6/1	eq: -0.340 (-0.087)
	Player: Opponent: 42.01% (G:7.70% B:0.20%) 57.99% (G:10.16% B:0.37%) Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.344...-0.336) - [0.0%] Duration: 4 hours 20 minutes
1 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 65445580 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote:
[24] 24/21 13/8


How to Play 53 in the Opening, Part 3.

The 3 is easy: 24/21. The 21 anchor is valuable, bringing the back men together safely and giving plenty of chances to hold or race. Running one checker to the midpoint is terrible because a checker on the 24 point has poor prospects for escape.

For the 5, 13/8 is best. The outside distribution is slightly worse after that move, but there’s no real choice. 6/1 dumps a checker far behind Black’s anchor, which is a bad idea. 8/3 puts a checker behind the anchor, strips the 8 point, and doesn’t even slot a third inner-board point.

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 147

11 point match

pip: 143 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=---Bb-D-D---cCb--b-bbBb---:0:0:-1:54:4:1:0:11:10

to play 54

1.	Rollout1	13/9 11/6	eq: +0.179
	Player: Opponent: 53.16% (G:10.68% B:0.32%) 46.84% (G:7.91% B:0.29%) Conf.: ± 0.007 (+0.172...+0.186) - [63.5%] Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes
2.	Rollout2	11/7 11/6	eq: +0.177 (-0.002)
	Player: Opponent: 53.02% (G:10.74% B:0.34%) 46.98% (G:7.76% B:0.22%) Conf.: ± 0.007 (+0.171...+0.184) - [36.3%] Duration: 1 hour 14 minutes
3.	Rollout2	13/8 11/7	eq: +0.168 (-0.011)
	Player: Opponent: 52.88% (G:10.60% B:0.34%) 47.12% (G:8.12% B:0.28%) Conf.: ± 0.007 (+0.161...+0.174) - [0.2%] Duration: 1 hour 12 minutes
4.	Rollout3	11/2	eq: +0.157 (-0.022)
	Player: Opponent: 52.72% (G:10.14% B:0.31%) 47.28% (G:7.90% B:0.31%) Conf.: ± 0.007 (+0.151...+0.164) - [0.0%] Duration: 1 hour 11 minutes
1 2605 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 65445580 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply 2 2604 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 65445580 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply 3 2603 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 65445580 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 11/7 11/6.

This 54 is not one of my best rolls and I think the best play is to leave only 11 shots and one blot with 11/7 11/6. If I am then hit, I have decent chances to counter attack from the bar and if not hit, perhaps I can cover my bar point and make a four prime, although some of the numbers that may accompany that covering roll may be cumbersome to play.

A play like 11/2 seems to be a bit weak and leaves 6 shots anyhow whereas other slotting plays leave more than 11 shots and also a 2nd blot.

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 138                           11 point match                           pip: 143 score: 4 is USBGF Members XGID=---Bb-D-D---cC---bacbBb---:0:0:1:63:4:1:0:11:10 to play 63

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 159

11 point match

pip: 159 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=-b-B--D-B---cEb--b-db---B-:0:0:1:53:4:1:0:11:10

to play 53

1.	Rollout1	24/21 13/8	eq: -0.367
	Player: Opponent: 43.78% (G:13.32% B:0.97%) 56.22% (G:18.02% B:0.72%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.372...-0.362) - [100.0%] Duration: 6 hours 13 minutes
2.	Rollout1	13/10 13/8	eq: -0.426 (-0.059)
	Player: Opponent: 42.15% (G:13.96% B:1.08%) 57.85% (G:18.54% B:1.06%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.431...-0.421) - [0.0%] Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
1 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 25275367 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote:
[23] 24/21 13/8
[ 6] 13/10 13/8


Like the previous roll, this one is 53, and we can channel the analysis of the last move.

Both 13/8 13/10 and 13/5 still look pretty ineffective. Black has an advantage in blocking: he has the 5 point as against White’s 3 point, and he has builders on the 13, 11, 8 , and 6 points as against White’s builders on the 13, 8, and 6. Therefore, 13/8 13/10 is a pure catch-up play, and as such it’s undesirable. It’s bad also because it gives Black a great use of 63 and 54, rolls which don’t do much on his side of the board; and finally it depletes the midpoint of spare checkers. In the early game, be wary of coming down to two or three spares on the mid!

As for 13/5, that’s still too feeble. Now White’s 8 point is stripped, so if Black misses the direct shot, White may have to break the 8 point in order to cover.

The remaining plays to consider are 24/16 and 13/8 24/21. Both work on mobilizing the back checkers, but it’s better to split than to run. White shouldn’t much fear an attack; Black has only eight checkers in the Zone (the 11-point builders aren’t included because they don’t bear directly on any inner-board points), and he won’t be eager to break his 8 point to hit loose. The split is promising because White may be able to make the very useful 21 anchor, or hit after being attacked, or run. To accompany 24/21, 13/8 is a good 5, smoothing the outside distribution and unstripping the 8 point. By contrast, the running play leaves an outside double shot, where there will be few return shots; and it promises little more than to clear one checker after a miss. The best move has to be 13/8 24/21.

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 159

11 point match

pip: 151 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=-b-B--D-C---cDb--b-dbA--A-:0:0:-1:33:4:1:0:11:10

to play 33

1.	XG Roller++	24/21(2) 6/3(2)	eq: +0.528
	Player: Opponent: 59.89% (G:16.04% B:0.47%) 40.11% (G:6.92% B:0.21%)
2.	XG Roller++	24/18(2)	eq: +0.398 (-0.130)
	Player: Opponent: 58.22% (G:12.40% B:0.33%) 41.78% (G:7.78% B:0.23%)

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 24/21(2) 6/3(2).

This fine roll allows me to do two good things by making my 3 point and 21 point. This leaves me with a nice position with a good defensive point and attacking chances if my opponent cannot anchor.

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 147

11 point match

pip: 151 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=---Bb-D-C---cDb--b-bbAb-A-:0:0:1:53:4:1:0:11:10

to play 53

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 164

11 point match

pip: 167 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=-b----E-C---dEa--c-da---B-:0:0:1:53:4:1:0:11:10

to play 53

1.	Rollout1	8/3 6/3	eq: -0.311
	Player: Opponent: 45.03% (G:13.88% B:0.93%) 54.97% (G:17.63% B:0.83%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.316...-0.306) - [100.0%] Duration: 10 hours 11 minutes
2.	Rollout1	24/21 13/8	eq: -0.342 (-0.031)
	Player: Opponent: 44.56% (G:12.23% B:0.79%) 55.44% (G:17.70% B:0.71%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (-0.347...-0.337) - [0.0%] Duration: 11 hours 31 minutes
1 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 25275367 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote:
[18] 8/3 6/3


Black has 31 numbers to make his 5 point next time, and White has to find the best way to offset that blocking advantage. The choices are (A) 8/3 6/3, grabbing a concrete asset; (B) 13/8 24/21, trying to anchor or run before Black gets too much of a blocking structure; (C) 13/8 13/10, bringing two builders in the attempt to catch up in blocking development, but leaving no direct shot; and (D) 13/5, counterslotting in hopes of catching up very quickly in blocking development, not settling for the 3 point but instead taking a risk to try to make the superior 5 point.

(C) and (D) should be rejected as ineffective “catch-up” plays. Generally, if you make a play to try to catch up in an area of opening development where your opponent has the edge, you want the play to have great promise if it works out. An example would be a counterslot with 21 in response to the opening 21 slot; that play is at least reasonable at most match scores. But with the current roll at the present score, catch-up attempts are not sufficiently promising. In the (D) variation where Black makes the 5 point without hitting (eight numbers either hit and cover his 5 point, or hit and make his 4), White is only 2 to 1 to cover the slotted 5 point. In the same (C) variation, White has only 21 ways to make the 4, 5, or bar point. With (C) the risk is less (only one hit-cover number), but so is the possible gain.

(B) is well motivated, but (A) gains the 3 point instantly. Maybe (B) would be justified as an aggressive gammon-avoidance tactic at a “Gammon Save” score such as -1 to -2, Crawford, but it’s hard to imagine it can be best at the current score. I recommend (A), 8/3 6/3, as would most strong players. It’s said that assets are everything, and a 3 point in the hand is worth many promising advantages in the bush.

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 164

11 point match

pip: 159 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=-b-B--D-B---dEa--c-da---B-:0:0:-1:32:4:1:0:11:10

to play 32

1.	Rollout1	13/11 8/5	eq: +0.299
	Player: Opponent: 54.79% (G:17.61% B:0.79%) 45.21% (G:14.21% B:0.96%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.294...+0.304) - [100.0%] Duration: 10 hours 53 minutes
2.	Rollout1	11/9 8/5	eq: +0.257 (-0.042)
	Player: Opponent: 53.66% (G:17.80% B:0.80%) 46.34% (G:14.74% B:1.04%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.252...+0.262) - [0.0%] Duration: 10 hours 19 minutes
1 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 25275367 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 13/11 8/5.

I cover 8/5 and then 13/11 is better than 11/9 since it locks down a new point and leaves no shots. It is true that the 11 point currently doesn’t aim directly at any open home board points but it still can be useful and allows me to move other checkers without worry of being hit in my outfield.

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 159

11 point match

pip: 159 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=-b-B--D-B---cEb--b-db---B-:0:0:1:53:4:1:0:11:10

to play 53

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03

(L)TD Chiva Tafazzoli w/Winner Neil Kazaross

CHAMPIONSHIP (16): 1-Neil Kazaross (IL), 2-Perry Gartner (FL), 3/4-Mike Corbett (FL), Alex Gerding (FL); 1LC-Gregg Cattanach (GA).  INTERMEDIATE (5): 1-Dan Gruby (FL).  BEGINNER (4): 1-Dimitur Alipiev, 2-Doreen Saccardo (FL), 3-Sonia Delima (FL).  FLORIDA MASTERS (8): 1-Mike Corbett (FL), 2-Gregg Cattanach (GA).MICROBLITZ: 1-Neil Rosensweig (FL) 
DMP TOURNAMENT: 1-Phil Simborg(IL) GARTNER-SIMBORG QUIZ: Stuart Katz (NY), Open winner; Brian Sooy (FL), Intermediate winner.

is Neil Kazaross score: 0 pip: 124

11 point match

pip: 140 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=--B-BAC-A--BfB---a-db--bAA:0:0:-1:00:4:0:0:11:10

on roll, cube action?

Analyzed in Rollout	No double	Double/Take
Player Winning Chances:	71.58% (G:23.65% B:1.01%)	71.03% (G:26.94% B:1.24%)
Opponent Winning Chances:	28.42% (G:6.24% B:0.22%)	28.97% (G:7.49% B:0.34%)
Cubeless Equities	+0.610	+1.313
Cubeful Equities
No double:	+0.913 (-0.087)	±0.003 (+0.910..+0.916)
Double/Take:	+1.210 (+0.210)	±0.004 (+1.206..+1.215)
Double/Pass:	+1.000
Best Cube action: Double / Pass
Rollout details
7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 25275367 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply
Double Decision confidence:		100.0%
Take Decision confidence:		100.0%
Duration: 4 hours 15 minutes

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote:
[11] Pass
[ 5] Take


Can White take? Black has some work to do to untangle the inflexible position of his outside checkers. White has a decent chance to hit at some point in the game. But White’s vulnerable position will give Black quite a few gammons. Not only that, the score is a big factor weighing against a take. White’s redoubles will be “crippled” (to use Danny Kleinman’s term) because Black will be able to take all kinds of positions that in a money game would at best be marginal, but are strong at the score. Behind by four points, he doesn’t need much excuse to redouble back to 8, so all he needs in order to take a 4-cube are decent raw winning chances. Owning an 8-cube at this score, White’s gammon wins are “killed” because they don’t count double. Also, “overage” comes into play: White can’t use all eight points because there’s no bonus for winning an 11-point match by scoring 12 (one point of overage). In contrast, Black can use all eight points, while gammons at 8 win the match for him (despite considerable overage).

The take decision would be difficult at a score of 0 to 0 (-11 to -11), but at this score it looks like White has an easy drop.

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 167

11 point match

pip: 167 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=-b----E-C---eE---c-e----B-:0:0:-1:21:4:1:0:11:10

to play 21

1.	Rollout1	13/11 6/5	eq: +0.109
	Player: Opponent: 50.71% (G:14.59% B:0.61%) 49.29% (G:14.92% B:1.08%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.104...+0.114) - [100.0%] Duration: 6 hours 47 minutes
2.	Rollout1	24/23 13/11	eq: +0.088 (-0.020)
	Player: Opponent: 50.06% (G:13.95% B:0.56%) 49.94% (G:13.75% B:0.77%) Conf.: ± 0.005 (+0.083...+0.093) - [0.0%] Duration: 6 hours 24 minutes
1 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 25275367 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

Neil Kazaross plays 13/11 6/5.

I slot an opening 21 almost regardless of score with the only exceptions being against certain strong players when I have a big lead and am just a couple points away from winning the match. For instance, tonight I split the opening 21 with a 5-0 lead in a 7 point match against fellow giant Mike Corbett, seeking slightly less complicated positions where a hoped for advanced anchor or mutual holding game will lower my gammon losses making it easier for me to use the cube.

is Neil Kazaross score: 1 pip: 164

11 point match

pip: 167 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=-b----E-C---dEa--c-da---B-:0:0:1:53:4:1:0:11:10

to play 53

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03

is Neil Kazaross score: 0 pip: 128

11 point match

pip: 142 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=--B-BAC-A--AfC---b-e---bAA:0:0:1:52:4:0:0:11:10

to play 52

1.	Rollout1	Bar/20 13/11	eq: -0.251
	Player: Opponent: 44.53% (G:13.36% B:0.29%) 55.47% (G:10.88% B:0.41%) Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.254...-0.247) - [100.0%] Duration: 2 hours 36 minutes
2.	Rollout1	Bar/20 8/6	eq: -0.275 (-0.024)
	Player: Opponent: 44.08% (G:13.66% B:0.31%) 55.92% (G:12.25% B:0.49%) Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.278...-0.272) - [0.0%] Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes
3.	Rollout1	Bar/20 11/9	eq: -0.282 (-0.032)
	Player: Opponent: 44.31% (G:14.33% B:0.34%) 55.69% (G:13.30% B:0.70%) Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.286...-0.279) - [0.0%] Duration: 2 hours 17 minutes
1 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 25275367 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote:
[15] b/20 13/11
[ 5] b/20 11/9
[ 1] b/18


The best 2 can’t be 20/18. Most of Black’s 6s are problematic for him, and White doesn’t want to let Black play those 6s by hitting. So there are three plays to consider with the 2: (A) 13/11, making an outside point and keeping triple coverage of the slotted 5 point; (B) 11/9, keeping triple coverage of the slotted point but also aiming an additional builder at the open 3 point; and (C) 24/22, covering more outfield territory, putting more pressure on Black’s stripped 8 point, and gaining a direct shot to make the 22 point in some variations where Black points on the blot on his 5 point.

(B) can’t be as good as (A) because it’s more important to make the 5 point than to build for the 3. A builder on the 11 point maximizes the chance to make the 5, and White should keep it there. Also, 13/11 makes a new point, and new points are usually good to have. The choice is between (A) and (C).

24/22 gains better coverage of Black’s 9 through 11 points, but 13/11 keeps best control of Black’s inner board. 24/22 adds a few hitting numbers after Black’s 31, but most importantly, it loses out on Black’s 51 (he can play 13/8 2/1 without leaving any shots), and on Black’s 53 (which he’ll use to point on the 3 point, leaving only a few indirect shots instead of a direct shot), and finally on Black’s 21 (which hits twice). Other swing numbers aren’t as important.
With two back checkers versus none, it’s often best to keep the trailing checker as far back as possible to control the most territory, and this position is consistent with that. The best play is bar/20 13/11. It’s wrong to step up with the 2, exposing the rearmost checker to more danger and decreasing coverage of Black’s inner board.

is Neil Kazaross score: 0 pip: 124                           11 point match                           pip: 140 score: 4 is USBGF Members XGID=--B-BAC-A--BfB---a-db--bAA:0:0:-1:00:4:0:0:11:10 on roll, cube action?

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03

Neil Kazaross doubles to 2.

This certainly is a favorable development for me as the third point increases my chances to come home safely and my opponent’s checker on the bar means that if things go quite well I may win a gammon. I also now have a race lead.

is Neil Kazaross score: 0 pip: 124                           11 point match                           pip: 140 score: 4 is USBGF Members XGID=--B-BAC-A--BfB---a-db--bAA:0:0:-1:D:4:0:0:11:10 doubles to 2. Take or Pass?

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03

I understand how a position could be a clear double/take for money;  what I don’t understand is how to use the MET to determine whether this is a take at various scores.

ANSWER:

Dear Dan:

Rather than get specific about the single position that you sent me, in order to make double and take decisions properly at different match scores we must know the take points, price of gammons, and doubling windows for each score.

Let’s take a simple racing position with no gammons, and let’s say that your winning chances are 24%.  First, how do you know when you have 24%?  There are several approaches, and depending on the position you can estimate this from reference positions, experience, or by using Trice, Keith, Kleinman, or EPC to help you.

But assuming you now have an estimate of your winning chances, all you need to know is your take point.  At 2away/2away your take point is 32 percent—it would be a big drop.  At 3away/3away, with several rolls left, you would take with 25 percent…so it would be a small drop.  At 7away/7away your take point is around 21.5 (same as money or unlimited), so you would take.

Giving the cube is easy if it’s a drop or if it’s close…just double.  But if it’s a take, then your major consideration is “market losers.”

The same concept is true for positions that have contact and possible gammons, except that it is complicated by the gammon estimates and the varying value of gammons.

So this is the short answer to your question.  The longer answer is you truly need to know and learn all your take points and gammon values, or you need to learn how to calculate take points from match equity based on risks and rewards, and then you have to make intelligent guesses and estimates of wins and gammons.

This is why match play is so much more complex and challenging than money play.  And this is why we must put in a lot of time and study to play matches well.

Thanks for the question!

MAY 2012′s

This month Professor Phil Simborg offers some excellent  exercise suggestions using eXtremeGammon (or GNU or Snowie) which will definitely help you improve your game.

EXERCISES TO HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR GAME 

is Neil Kazaross score: 0 pip: 138

11 point match

pip: 145 score: 4 is USBGF Members

XGID=--B-B-C-B---fD---c-f---AA-:0:0:1:32:4:0:0:11:10

to play 32

1.	Rollout1	13/11 8/5	eq: -0.078
	Player: Opponent: 48.12% (G:16.19% B:0.38%) 51.88% (G:8.14% B:0.32%) Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.082...-0.075) - [100.0%] Duration: 3 hours 56 minutes
2.	Rollout1	23/21 8/5	eq: -0.113 (-0.035)
	Player: Opponent: 47.42% (G:14.91% B:0.31%) 52.58% (G:8.49% B:0.34%) Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.116...-0.109) - [0.0%] Duration: 3 hours 53 minutes
3.	Rollout1	13/11 13/10	eq: -0.125 (-0.047)
	Player: Opponent: 47.01% (G:14.24% B:0.29%) 52.99% (G:8.10% B:0.33%) Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.129...-0.121) - [0.0%] Duration: 3 hours 46 minutes
4.	Rollout1	23/21 13/10	eq: -0.133 (-0.055)
	Player: Opponent: 46.86% (G:13.19% B:0.27%) 53.14% (G:7.76% B:0.31%) Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.137...-0.129) - [0.0%] Duration: 3 hours 44 minutes
5.	Rollout1	8/6 8/5	eq: -0.157 (-0.079)
	Player: Opponent: 46.25% (G:13.94% B:0.30%) 53.75% (G:8.51% B:0.32%) Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.161...-0.153) - [0.0%] Duration: 3 hours 23 minutes
6.	Rollout1	23/20 13/11	eq: -0.161 (-0.083)
	Player: Opponent: 46.19% (G:12.88% B:0.26%) 53.81% (G:8.21% B:0.31%) Conf.: ± 0.004 (-0.165...-0.158) - [0.0%] Duration: 4 hours 03 minutes
7.	Rollout1	24/21 23/21	eq: -0.260 (-0.181)
	Player: Opponent: 43.24% (G:3.28% B:0.07%) 56.76% (G:2.21% B:0.07%) Conf.: ± 0.003 (-0.263...-0.257) - [0.0%] Duration: 5 hours 07 minutes
1 7776 Games rolled with Variance Reduction. Dice Seed: 34344768 Moves and cube decisions: 4-ply

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03, MET: Kazaross XG2

USBGF Members vote:
[8] 13/11 8/5
[6] 23/20 13/11
[5] 13/11 13/10
[4] 24/21 23/21
[2] 23/21 13/10


The game plan is clear now. Though the race is close, any thought of making the 21 point must be put aside. With a three-point board, White must try to hit a checker. The best chance to hit is to leave the back men where they are, keeping best coverage of the Black inner board and also giving good outfield coverage. At the same time White should try to improve the inner board–a four-point board could turn a hit into an instant winner.

Black’s back checkers have both escaped, so White can try to build new inside points unopposed by direct shots. The quickest way to make the 5 point is to start by slotting 8/5, then the natural way to play the 2 is 13/11. However, this move risks that Black leaves a shot, after which White hits but doesn’t cover, and Black rolls a 5 to hit. the direct return shot. Perhaps it’s better to compromise, leaving the back men on the 23 and 24 points and building with 13/10 13/11.

When in doubt about how to improve your board unopposed, slot key points. Short of natural point-making rolls, that’s the fastest way to make new points. This strategy loses out in variations like the one just mentioned, but gains when you hit and your opponent misses the return shot, or when you cover next turn and then hit later, or when you hit and cover right away. Usually, the combined chances of those three favorable events are greater than the equity lost when you hit next turn and your opponent hits back.

I recommend 13/11 8/5. The tactical advantage of a four-point board is much greater than that of a three-point board, and there’s no time to lose in trying to gain that advantage.


USBGF Members: 32 13/11 8/5
Neil Kazaross: 64 8/2* 6/2
USBGF Members: 52


is Neil Kazaross score: 0 pip: 128                           11 point match                           pip: 142 score: 4 is USBGF Members XGID=--B-BAC-A--AfC---b-e---bAA:0:0:1:52:4:0:0:11:10 to play 52

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.03