Chuck Bower: 13/7, 8/5.This position screams for a bold play. 13/7 looks like theright 6. Between the 'splot' continuation (23/20) and the doubleslot continuation (8/5), I'll go with the latter. I don'tlike the pick-and-pass options splitting gives White. Seemslike if you're going to leave several blots, the anchor isa bit of security. Besides, there must be a Sun-Tzu proverb warning against being vulnerable on two fronts.
George Klitsas: 23/14.
The race is about even and Blue has probably no reason to expose additional blots. The natural 23/14 looks fine to me. Blue has the better board and White a vulnerable blot on his ace point, certainly a liability if hitting takes place. If Blue does not leave now, he risks the danger of being stuck on White's 2 point with his sixes blocked.
Laila Leonhardt: 23/14.
Again outfield control but staying out of direct contact with the back checker, so not to ease its escape from the homeboard, but working towards getting flexibility to contain White.
Snowie: 23/14.
What is wrong with running? I cover my outfield, get off the twopoint I don't really want to be on, and if I am hit I have a return shotat the blot on the ace point. 13/4 is pretty stale. As for the slottingplays -- the less said, the better.
Marty Storer: 13/7, 8/5.
Wow, a super-big, super-pure 70's play! How can it be wrong?Over the board I'd play it reflexively. White has a blot onthe 1 point; Blue has plenty of other shot equity; leaving6's and 4's to hit duplicates White's escaping numbers; andlast but not least, 6 of White's hitting numbers areextremely devalued. White's hitting 41 and 61 force a secondblot on White's side of the board, while White's hitting 31is duplicated to make the 5 point. 13/7 8/5 is potentially veryfast forward development, with small risk and much threat.Simultaneous hit and escape is not much of a concern here,because Blue has so many returns after most of White's hittingnumbers. By the way, White has "only" 25 ways to hit, and thegood hitting numbers are all duplicated somehow. Alternativesto the double slot are far too slow.
Bob Stringer: 23/20, 13/7.
This game has a long way to go. I have the better board, and if Iget some outfield coverage by splitting, White's next roll couldbe awkward. I'm not a big fan of slotting the bar point, butthat's what goes with the split.
Casper van der Tak: 13/7, 8/5.
White is stacked, and has a blot on the ace. Blue has a better home board, and more checkers back. A bold play that fits in Blue's strategy of blocking/attacking White back checker is strongly called for. 23/20 13/7 and 23/14 are the wrong ideas. Blue should work on his side of the board.
13/4 is safe but a bit slow. It doesn't help Blue's strategy enough. I think the real choice is between 13/7 13/10 and 13/7 8/5. Given that we can afford a bold play, I like 13/7 8/5. In return for 7 more shots, we get to slot another key point and keep a beautiful spare distribution.
Kit Woolsey: 23/14.
I don't want to get stuck on White's two point, and this seems like a goodtime to get off of it. White has that blot on his ace point for me toshoot at if I am hit. My play has the additional advantage ofdouble-covering my outer board in case White makes a run for it. Thisis especially important since White has one checker back.
Chris Yep: 23/20, 13/7.
Magriel's bold vs. safe criteria all point toward a bold play. Blue has more men back and a stronger board while White has an inner board blot and no development. 23/20 13/7 looks best. Due to White's weak development Blue can be quite free in slotting the key points on the board. White will be looking to unstack his midpoint, so 23/20 confronts any builders White brings down into the outfield. At the same time 13/7 develops Blue's offense. Blue is hurt only slightly if hit with a 6s. If hit, Blue has increased chances to either make an advanced anchor or hit back on the 24 point. If missed, Blue can work on his offense next turn.
Summary: There was plenty of aggressive slotting, but the runningplay barely won out. It wouldn't take much to convince me to try oneof the slotting plays.
