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Destroying My Eight Point

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07-20-2010 , 03:36 PM

Al Mirpuri

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,485

In the opening, if I win the opening roll with something like 4-2 then I make my 4 pt using a checker from my eighth and my sixth points.

On my second roll, if I roll 3-1, do I go ahead and make my 5 pt?

Does it matter if my opponent has split his back men on his first roll?

Many thanks for any and all advice.

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07-20-2010 , 04:21 PM

mute

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,815

Without thinking through all possible combinations of responses, even with opponent having his back checkers split, I don't think there is a position where I would pass up the 5 point with the 4 point already made on the second roll.

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07-20-2010 , 05:42 PM

plm

newbie

Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 44

Making the 5 point would be almost always right (and by a wide margin).

An obvious exception is if opponent ran with 6-3 or 5-4.

Small splits with aces or deuces shouldn't bother you, but if opponent split to your bar point with a 6-X, you should hit him there.
His potential 18/17* hits probably still don't matter much but here, if you make the 5 point, he will often anchor on his 18 point which would be a serious setback. Moreover, sending him on the bar when you have the better board and he has a loose blot in his outfield is quite strong by itself.

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07-20-2010 , 05:49 PM

Robertie

old hand

Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,954

I agree with the two posters above, but would add this comment: The formation of the 4, 5, and 6-points is very strong, much stronger than any two of the points would be by themselves. Once you make the 4-point or 5-point you have an even greater incentive to fill in the missing point of the formation.

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07-20-2010 , 06:10 PM

Aaron W.

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 30,132

I don't think of it as "destroying" so much as "trading." Would you prefer to have the 8 point or the 5 point? I'll take the 5 point unless there's some compelling reason to want the 8 point.

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07-21-2010 , 12:46 AM

Al Mirpuri

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5,485

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron W.

I don't think of it as "destroying" so much as "trading." Would you prefer to have the 8 point or the 5 point? I'll take the 5 point unless there's some compelling reason to want the 8 point.

My only fear was leaving the blot on the 8pt but as other posters have pointed out what I gain far outweighs what I have lost.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

I have routinely been "trading" my 8pt but wondered if it was correct.

Nice to know I am doing one thing right.

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