Chuck Bower: 6/1, 5/1.
The first thing I've decided is that I want to keep *two* checkers onthe 22-point. Not only does White get some nice PoH and P&P playsif I leave one there but without either his 4- or 5-point I canhassle him for a long time by just camping there. The next decisionis whether or not to stay on the 18-point. In general I thinkBlue gets more shots by having that 3rd checker back, and gettingit hit adds some needed timing. I can always move it later ifthings get tight on the homeside. Now the final decision is whetherto just make the acepoint or start two inner board points. Sincesome of Blue's hitting vig comes as combo shots from the bar, havingtwo inner board blots, even for only this next roll, may be overdoingit. Note that Blue owns the cube so a simple hit + fan should beenough to win the game. Owning a closed board would be better, butisn't necessary. I'm making the acepoint, again.

Neil Kazaross: 6/1, 5/1.
I think simply making our ace point is best here with 18/13, 7/3 aclose 2nd. 18/9 is certainly plausable but relieves some pressure on White. I don't feel slotting two inner board points is needed here.

George Klitsas: 6/1, 5/1.
One of those rare positions that happen once in a lifetime and need pencil, paper and, above all, much time in order to obtain a rough idea (preferably a bot in our days - with their "brute force" they outperform easily even the best players in this kind of position). At the table, I would be reluctant to break the anchor on White's 3 point, even if that makes the bar point. I will remain anchored hoping for late shots, if everything else fails. I will also remain on the 18 point, for the moment, since this checker looks more of an asset (controlling the outfield) than a liability (if hit there, I will have only indirect return hits from the bar). Shuffling the checkers in my inner board is a problem in itself and I decide to make immediately a five point board (6/1 5/1), despite the hole left on my three point. Action is going to begin probably next roll and positional moves (like 7/3 6/1, leaving two inner blots) can easily backfire and are to be avoided.

Snowie: 18/13, 7/3.
I don't want to make it too easy for White to break off the midpoint, andI want to make my three point. Staying on White's bar point is a bittoo risky. My play keeps the pressure on with minimal risk, and startsthe point I need to make.

Marty Storer: 6/1, 5/1.
Making an instant five-point board in order to go for all themarbles right now, in case White elects to hit, or has to.There are only a few rolls that force White's hand (63, 53, 21).In any case Blue should keep the 22 point for greatest long-termshot equity. Then leaving the blot on the 18 point gives maximumcoverage of the outfield.

Bob Stringer: 6/1, 5/1.
I can't win without hitting, so I have to wait for White to come tome. Making the ace point does two good things: it makes my board morefearsome, and it does the best job of preserving my timing.

Casper van der Tak: 18/13, 7/3.
I truly do not know about this one. Playing 22/18 seems a bit anti-thematic, and leaves Blue a bit vulnerable to attack. Making the ace makes the encore difficult. So I played 18/13 7/3, which leaves plenty of contact and prepares to build the strongest possible board.

Kit Woolsey: 18/9.
I think that staying on the 18 point gives White more good rolls than badrolls, since his sixes and aces are otherwise awkward. I figure to get plentyof both indirect and direct shots simply by sitting on the three point,and I can use my other 13 checkers to make my own three point and have theboard I want when I hit a shot. The one thing I don't want is to getstuck on the bar at the wrong time.

Chris Yep: 7/3, 6/1.
This is a difficult problem since so many of the choices are similar. My choice is to stay back, keeping the maximum contact. Between 7/3 6/1 and 6/1 5/1, I like 7/3 6/1 since it leaves Blue with a more flexible position. White will probably not leave a shot next turn, so Blue has time to make up his board next turn while waiting for a shot.

Summary: The ace point? Yuck! How is Blue planning on containinga hit checker without making his three point? I don't like the majoritychoice here at all, even though it does keep maximum contact.

Problem #7   Play          Votes   Score6/1, 5/1           5      10018/13, 7/3         2       7018/9               1       607/3, 6/1           1       6022/18, 7/2         0       4022/18, 6/1         0       4018/13, 5/1         0       4018/14, 6/1         0       40