Alan Alsop: 24/18.Blue has little to threaten White. Moving down has good points but lets White play his game here. I prefer the better move of concentrating Whites attention on the escaping man. Not allowing White to play his own game.
John Bakovic: 13/7.
This looks like a roll you play safe and hope of a better roll next time. I play a simple 13/7. Roll outs seem confirm this. All other roll gives White to many good rolls.
Chuck Bower: 13/7.
The race is close and White's diversity makes any Blue blots quitevulnerable. This looks a good situation to go "noncommital", oneof Robertie's four gameplans in his recent MODERN BACKGAMMON. Ithink forcing things, including any move which splits the backcheckers, just plays into White's strength.
Doug Doub: 13/7.
Nothing is very attractive here. I would like to move theback men, but 24-18 moves to the point that White would most like to make,and he would be in good position to hit. 24-22, 13-9 offers ten fly shots.Making the 4pt is certainly not unreasonable, since our stack on the 6ptreally needs developing, but the 4pt might not be adequate compensation forthe shots. With nothing else jumping out at me, I am falling back on 13-7.It is safe and gives us some additional building potential, depending uponwhat the dice give us next turn.
Neil Kazaross: 13/7.
This one is clear to me. We should simply play 13/7 and awaitdevelopments. White's made 5 point deters me from either making the 4 pointor playing 13/9, 24/22.
George Klitsas: 13/7.
24/22 is thematic but, since 13/9 24/22 leaves too many indirect shots, I will prefer to improve on building potential with the safe 13/7.
Laila Leonhardt: 8/4, 6/4.
Making a nice point and duplicating the 6's that White would need for makinghis bar points, seems to be the most constructive play here, getting anadditional checker back if hit must still be considered better than Whitemaking the bar point.
Snowie: 13/7.
There is no need to do anything rash here. White has the stronger innerboard, but I have the makings of a good blockade. The builder on my barpoint improves my chances of extending that blockade without taking anyundue risks.
Marty Storer: 13/7.
Splitting isn't very attractive; after 24/22, there are no good4's besides 22/18. Coming to the 18 point is really loose against White'sbetter board and triple shot. Making the 4 point is not only a catch-upplay but a very risky one. So 13/7 seems the best of bad choices. It'ssafe and it adds a builder-attacker.
Bob Stringer: 13/7.
I quickly decided on 13/7 and I'm sticking with it, mostly becauseall of the other plays have something off-putting. 24/18 invitesWhite to hit with a decent chance of making his bar point; 24/22,13/9 gives him too many indirect shots; 8/4, 6/4 gives him adirect shot; and 24/22, 6/2* puts a checker on a doofus point withno attack to back it up. 13/7 simply strives to increase myflexibility by bringing down a builder, while waiting forsomething better on my next roll.
Casper van der Tak: 13/7.
Safe and sound, now that White has the better board. Building the 4-point might be and idea if White would have the 4-point instead of the 5-point, because than some duplication would be at work.
Kit Woolsey: 8/4, 6/4.
That stack of checkers on my six point looks awfully ugly. I think it isworth leaving the direct shot in order to unstack the heavy six point andmake a good inner board point. Several of White's sixes play well onthe other side of the board, and 4-3 would otherwise make my five point, sothere is some element of duplication with my play. I can survive being hit,and my position will be a lot stronger if the shot is missed.
Chris Yep: 13/7.
After an early 6-1 to make the bar point, Blue's offense needs some work if he is to continue building. 13/7 is a solid developing move, leaving 0 shots. Due to White's split back men and stronger board, 8/4 6/4, 24/22 13/9, and 24/22 6/2* all leave too many shots with not enough gain. 24/18 starts an advanced anchor, but with White having made the 5 point and having brought down an extra builder, I like 13/7.
Summary: The quiet solid building play scored a clear victory in thepanel's vote. I can well believe that they are right, and that my choiceof making the four point may have been a bit rash.
