Chuck Bower: 8/5, 6/5.Blue can hit and leave a lot of return shots, make a gooddefensive point, or make a very good offensive point. Thereisn't a lot of pressure to anchor up, and with White havingno new points and several blots, keeping the back checkerssplit has advantages. Hitting has the usual tempo tacticand gains in the race, although doesn't even take the temporaryrace lead. It makes no structural gains and give White tons ofreturn shots. I like grabbing a sparkly new point.
Doug Doub: 8/5, 6/5.
13-9* is the obvious alternative. White has some threatsthat hitting would prevent, but he is very unlikely to be able to clean upeverything in one turn. We will almost surely be shooting at one or twoblots next turn. Our hits would then be much stronger with our 5pt made.
George Klitsas: 8/5, 6/5.
Hitting anywhere, leaves too many return shots for White. It seems more prudent to try to counter White's race lead by better structure. Making the defensive anchor on my opponent's 21 point is not bad, but making my own 5 point [I can't avoid the usual motto here "how bad can it be, making one's 5 point?"] looks more active. White has three blots and it's against the probabilities that he will be able to hide them all on his next roll. Then I will have the opportunity to hit him with the better board. 8/5 6/5 is the move.
Mary Lee Pinkney: 8/5, 6/5.
Since White has no structure I think it's best to make the 5 point this move. This secures a valuable inner board point. I should be able to hit White next roll, due to White's weak and blot-full position, and I will be in a stronger position having secured the valuable 5 point this turn.
Snowie: 13/9*.
I'm not going to give White his full roll to escape, consolidate, ormake a new point. White doesn't have a board, so I'm not afraid ofan exchange of hits. Some of White's sixes will be pretty awkwardafter my play.
Marty Storer: 24/21, 22/21.
Again, this problem seems very similar to some previousone. This time I can't place it at all. If a reference isn't easy to find,I apologize for the senior moment. Anyway, the 21 point is a valuable asset.The choice for me is between making the 21 and making the 5. Some mayconsider the 21 point the weenier choice, but I'll bid for the OscarMayer Award. Were it not for Blue's blot on his 1 point, or if the pipcount were clearly in White's favor, I would pick 8/5 6/5. But White hasvery good chances to consolidate, and Blue's back men could be somewhatembarrassed as a result. In this close race, Blue need not rely on hittingchances to win. The 21 anchor has long-lasting value, and I think Blueshould take it while he can.
Bob Stringer: 8/5, 6/5.
I really want to hit, especially because I'm behind in the race,but White is unlikely to do everything at once with his next roll.If he makes a point on his side of the board, he's still going tohave two blots on my side. Only 6-5, 3-2 or a few doublessignificantly improve his position. That being the case, I thinkit's right to make my best point when I have the opportunity.
Casper van der Tak: 24/21, 22/21.
Yes, these hits on the ace as a defence against major splits can lead to messy positions... I'd just make an advanced anchor, exert pressure on White's blots, and White can figure out what he can clean up. Hitting now leaves too many shots and blots. 8/5 6/5 in preparation of hits is an option, but Blue will not be really ready to hit next turn anyway, and while making home board points figures to be easy in the near future, making an advanced anchor might be more difficult.
I'd make the anchor, preserve racing and holding chances, and may be able to hit profitably over the next turns. Building the 5-point is my second choice.
Kit Woolsey: 8/5, 6/5.
Hitting one of White's blots, making the defensive anchor, and making theoffensive five point are all attractive. The hitting plays are very loose,leaving a lot of blots. While the anchor is nice, my back men aren't underattack yet and keeping them spread out may lead to future shots. Meanwhile,the five point is the five point. White has a bunch of blots to clean up,and there is likely to be plenty of hitting going on. I need to beprepared for the blot-hitting.
Chris Yep: 8/5, 6/5.
Blue can make an advanced anchor, make his 5 point, or engage in a hitting contest. If Blue hits, I believe he should hit from the midpoint (13/9*). Stripping the 8 point is too ugly since Blue currently has little outfield structure. 13/9* develops the midpoint, but may give White too many return hits from the bar (most 1s, 2s, and 9s). 24/21 22/21 is also possible, but an advanced anchor isn't an urgent priority since White only has a 1-point board and has 3 blots to clean up next turn. I like 8/5 6/5, making the 5 point and hoping to hit next turn.
Summary:The five point is the five point, says our panel. It ishard to see how this can be too far wrong. Interestingly enough, oursilicon expert who usually loves those assets chose the hitting playwhich was rejected by the rest of the panel.
