| 129 144 |                          | White money game Blue |
Problem #3 Play Votes Score24/23, 6/1* 4 10013/7 3 9024/18 1 6024/23, 13/8 1 6013/8, 5/4 0 40 6/1*, 5/4 0 40
Steve Clark: 13/7.
I know that both sides have made an equal number of inner board points.Even so, I am unenthusiastic about 24-18. It just seems like White willhave too many good rolls. Nor am I enthusiastic about hitting on theace point. This could be the right play, but we are short of coveringcheckers even when we are missed. 13-7 is not a play to be madelightly. If we get hit, we will be in a deep hole. Even so itcertainly looks attractive. It has a big turnaround potential notavailable in the alternatives. This is the type of play to make whenyou need a lucky break. This is the case here so I will play 13-7.
George Klitsas: 13/7.
Any move that breaks the 24 point risks a quick gammon. Thinking in cube-terms such a move is also inadvisable, since it makes impossible for Blue the re-cube when his two blots are scooped up and closed out - Blue makes the most of his (re)cube value by retaining the anchor and the option of the ace-point game. From the other moves, 6/1* 5/4 lacks ammunition for the encore and 13/8 5/4 is very quiet The move that forces things is definitely 13/7! Most sixes are very good rolls for White anyway and if Blue is not hit and makes his bar-point he might even win the timing battle, since he is behind in the race. If hit, Blue will substantially improve his timing for an ace-point game, in which case he will have a decent chance to recube in many sequences. Needless to say, 13/7 is my choice.
Rob Maier: 24/18.
Come out and smell the coffee. Seriously, hanging back on the ace anchor tends not to be the answer. Spliting isn't enough. Put some real pressure on while it is still relatively safe.
Snowie: 24/23, 6/1*.
Look at that army of builders poised to make the bar point or the threepoint and pin me back on the ace point. Am I going to let White do thisto me unmolested? No way! It is essential for me to disrupt his floweven if it means putting a checker temporarily out of play. I must dosomething good with my back men soon or I will die a slow death. Thepriming battle is sure to go against me.
Bob Stringer: 24/23, 6/1*.
White's better timing makes me want to split my backmen. But with White's offense looking good, that's aninvitation to disaster. Therefore, I accompany thesplit with 6/1*, giving White a chance to dance, and inany case taking one of the dice away from his outsidecheckers. 24/18 simply asks to be hit on a point thatWhite wants to make for his 5 prime, and 13/7 givesWhite virtually a won game if the blot is hit. Otherplays look like they're just marking time while I stillhave to escape. I therefore pick the play which seemsbest designed to make that escape possible.
Casper Van Der Tak: 24/23, 13/8.
Don't know. This puts some pressure on White's outfield, and gives some opportunities to escape. Seems to balance the risks of getting pointed on. I do not like 24/18 and 13/7. 13/8 5/4 is too passive for my taste. 24/23 6/1* addresses the fact that Blue does not want to play a priming game with two back against one, but is too loose for my taste.
Kit Woolsey: 24/23, 6/1*.
Once again, a tempo play is vital. White has a strong position which isthreatening to get stronger, and Blue must do something about it. Theonly area where Blue is on equal terms is inner board strength, so itmust be right to hit loose and split the back checker. Perhaps White willflunk, and at least White won't be able to make any more new points nextroll without rolling doubles. Then maybe something good will happen. IfBlue goes passive White has a ton of numbers which improve his boardeven further.
Chris Yep: 24/23, 6/1*.
White has better timing in the priming game, thus it's important for Blue to split his back checkers to try to either escape or make a better anchor (24/18 is too risky since it splits into a triple shot; in addition White can use 4s and 5s to hit loose on the ace point). I like 24/23. With the 5, hitting looks best. Not only does it protect Blue's back men but also the attack itself is reasonably strong since Blue's board is as strong as White's and White can't form an anchor.
Summary: In a close vote, the loose hit on the ace point won out overslotting the bar point. I must admit that slotting the bar point herewould never have occurred to me. It is a disaster if the blot is hit,and Blue isn't in particularly great shape in the priming battle anyway.