Chuck Bower: 22/18, 20/18.The 9-point would be good to have here. However, rolls which allow you to make a valuable anchor aren't guaranteed to come again soon. The 20-point is better than the 18-point, but not enough to accept an awkward 4 die.
Doug Doub: 13/9, 11/9.
White is not in very good position to attack, so we areunder little pressure to make an anchor. Having our back men on differentpoints could give us more shots at a blot in the outfield. Moreimportantly, our 9pt is a very good point to own here. It gives us four outof six in a row and makes our future hits that more potent, as well asthreatening White's blot on our 4pt.
Neil Kazaross: 13/9, 11/9.
Only two plays come to mind here since if we make the 20 point, our 4doesn't play well. Therefore, I feel that 18(2) is better than any playwhich makes the 20 point. Therefore, we can compare 18(2) vs making the 9point. We are behind in the race and the blocking 9 point pressures White'slone rear checker. However, this leaves White several attacking jokers butwe should be OK after that unless we dance on the 3 point board.
My opinion is that we should make the 9 point here due to our racedeficite and the fact that it is better to play for the win than to play notto lose a G. I have a slight preference for 13/9, 11/9.
George Klitsas: 22/20, 11/7.
Although making the 9 point looks nice, I think that a higher priority for Blue in this position is a defensive anchor - the danger is that White may use his spares, not only now but later, as well, if Blue's rear checkers remain split, to put Blue on the bar with a 3 point board (with rolls like 41, 32, 21 etc). Therefore, the choice is between making White's bar point (22/18 20/18) or the defensive 20 point (22/20). I believe that 22/18 20/18 is probably the move to win the contest (!), since it's a single alternative, but the move to win the game is to anchor on the 20 point and look for the four (3 alternatives). Namely 13/9, 11/7 and 6/2. Between 13/9 and 11/7 the latter looks clearly better (fewer blots and, most important, more "convenient" hits, compared to some "awkward" hits for White after 11/7 [46 and 41]). The final choice between 11/7 and 6/2 is difficult enough, but Blue's race deficit, White's already mentioned awkward hits and the fact that, if White rolls a 44, Blue should prefer tobe hit, sways me to the more positional 22/20 11/7.
Snowie: 22/18, 20/18.
It isn't clear where I will want my front checkers, but it is clearthat I will want an advanced anchor. This will keep me in the gamefor a long time. Making the nine point risks some very bad thingshappening, and making the 20 point means I have to either leave adirect shot or take a checker out of play.
Marty Storer: 22/20, 13/9.
Blue is going to need an anchor eventually, andthe 20 is better than the 18. With a blot in White's board and10 pips behind after the roll, Blue can afford to play aggressivelyagainst White's back checker. 13/9 duplicates White's 6's to runand to hit, and may give a return shot at the blot on White's 1point. Making the 9 is nice, but it seems imperative for Blue toanchor while he can. White's threats against Blue's back checkersmay not seem very big, but they're deceptively insidious. For fansof general rules, 13/9 11/9 is priming a blot. According to thesaying, one should prime an anchor and attack a blot.
Bob Stringer: 22/20, 13/9.
First, do I want to make an anchor or do I want to make a point 6away from White's remaining back checker? If I had a betterblockade going, with either the 5 or bar point already made, I'dgo for the 9 point. But making the 9 point in this positiondoesn't do all that much to stop White. Making an anchor looksmore productive for the long run. Next, I prefer his 5 point tohis bar point for the anchor. An anchor on the 5 looks like itwill make things more inconvenient for White, given hisover-stacked structure. That leaves me with 3 choices. 6/2 is outright away; I don't see the point of dumping a checker on a badpoint. Finally, I like 13/9 over 11/7 since it's more flexible andcovers the board better.
Kit Woolsey: 22/18, 20/18.
Making the nine point is nice, but since White has only one checker backthat may result in just a temporary hindrance. In the meantime, if Ileavemyr back checkers split I may get attacked. Making the enemybar point guarantees me a solid defense whatever happens, and I still maybe able to contain White's back checker. If that checker gets away, I willhave a fine bar point holding game.
Chris Yep: 13/9, 11/9.
It looks right to concentrate on offense. White has only 8 checkers in the attack zone, a 2-point board, and an inner board blot, so there is no urgency to make an anchor. Furthermore, White has an awkward position due to his stacked midpoint and no outfield structure. Keeping the back men split may give White problems finding safe plays in the near future. On the other side of the board, White is threatening to escape his last back man. Blocking 6s with 13/9 11/9 looks best.
Summary: A close choice, with votes for both anchors as well asmaking the offensive nine point. It isn't at all clear what is best.
