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Beavered and confused

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06-24-2009 , 08:06 PM

djk123

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 5,069

ok so i doubled and got beavered. i didn't even notice i got beavered until after i went back and analyzed the game lol. the thought hadn't even crossed my mind. i could see how this is a bad double, but im baffled how it's a beaver, even with me being on the bar.

the only thing that sticks out at me is my awkward stack of 5 on the 6 pt, but that doesn't seem like enough to justify a beaver.

Last edited by djk123; 06-24-2009 at 08:24 PM.

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06-24-2009 , 08:50 PM

dsaxton

adept

Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 709

I wouldn't have guessed that this was a beaver, but I can see that it's not a double. Black has a very easy take with you on the bar, an anchor, and some minor blitzing potential if you roll awkardly. He'll also have an easy take even if you enter and hit, so this is no double.

I can see how a lot of variations would create a relatively even position, in which case the player with ownership of the cube would be the favorite. That may be part of why the computer beavered.

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06-25-2009 , 05:59 AM

Hallberg

enthusiast

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 54

White has a really sound position even if he gets hit. You have to checkers that are seperated from the rest of your checkers. It's hard for you to improve your position by alot and white will have a strong position if he manages to get a little outfield control.

I wouldn't have beavered this over the board, but after analysing the position now I would beaver.

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06-25-2009 , 12:58 PM

Robertie

old hand

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,954

Look at it this way. Suppose you reach a position where you're a small but solid favorite -- say a 55-45 favorite in a cubeless game. If your opponent owns the cube, however, you're not a favorite anymore, you're an underdog. To win, you have to increase your chances in the position from 55% to 100%, a 45% increase. Your opponent, however, only has to go from 45% to 75%, where he can double you out. That's a mere 30% increase. Gammons will mitigate this somewhat in your favor, but basically it's easier for him to get to his redoubling point than for you to get all the way to 100%.

Last edited by Robertie; 06-25-2009 at 12:58 PM. Reason: misspelling

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06-25-2009 , 03:16 PM

djk123

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 5,069

thanks, that makes sense

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