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From Backgammon for Blood, by Bruce Becker
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| White to play 6-4. |
I recommend 13/9, 13/7.
Other authors recommend 24/14. (One of them is often inconsistent; with the 6-3 throw he moved one man from B1 to B7 and one from B12 to W10, yet here he does not bring a man to B7 and another to W9. I don’t know why.)
In this alternative move, although the blot on B11 can be hit in fewer ways (eleven) than if he were on B7, he is of no practical advantage except to team up with a man from B12 to make a point; only a 5-4, 4-5, 4-3, 3-4, 3-2, 2-3 allow this. And if not so utilized, he must be moved out of danger shortly. Thus, for this alternative, there are many problems — and no advantages.
As for my recommendation, the blot on W7 can be hit in seventeen ways (remember, though, six of them are not advantageous for my opponent), the W9 blot can be hit in three ways (5-3, 3-5, and 4-4), and the 6-2 or 2-6 throws hit both blots. Practically speaking, that means a total off sixteen ways to be hurt. But if I am not hit, then on my next throw of the dice I am again in great shape: any throw at all will somehow make a point. Seemingly incredible, but true! If you doubt me, go back and look at the diagram again.
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Rollout
 Tom Keith 2013 |
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Money play Centered cube White rolls 6-4 1296 games with VR Checker play: 3-ply Cube play: XG Roller |
| 6-4: | Game | G | BG | Equity | ||||
| 1 | 8/2, 6/2 |
W L |
.4970 .5030 |
.1601 .1438 |
.0086 .0069 | +0.0269 |
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| 2 | 24/14 |
W L |
.5080 .4920 |
.1246 .1356 |
.0061 .0050 | +0.0173 | (0.0096) | Alt |
| 3 | 24/18, 13/9 |
W L |
.5024 .4976 |
.1374 .1388 |
.0072 .0065 | +0.0032 | (0.0237) | |
| 4 | 24/20, 24/18 |
W L |
.4897 .5103 |
.1118 .1493 |
.0056 .0052 | −0.0632 | (0.0901) | |
| 5 | 13/9, 13/7 |
W L |
.4799 .5201 |
.1486 .1535 |
.0087 .0098 | −0.0709 | (0.0978) |
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| 6 | 24/20, 13/7 |
W L |
.4817 .5183 |
.1370 .1421 |
.0070 .0068 | −0.0821 | (0.1090) |
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