FIBS Board backgammon forum

Looks easy one. There's no special reason to hit to less valuable low points and give race lead. So run. But half way run can't be far from it at least it's more flexible. By the way double hit is missing from the choices. That would be my choice if I would want some fancy backgame.

This early on, with nothing to do but play, I would always do the run - lovers leap as some call it  ;) Not exciting, but we dont need that right now. 24-13

Tora! Tora! Tora!   Go for the double hit and have some fun!

Love a zleep, Zzzzzzzz

Any time you have a chance to put two checkers on the bar you should take a careful look at it. But in this case, it's just not worth it - either he hits and we're behind in the race, or he comes in past our blots and we've effectively killed two checkers.

Hitting one is half-assed - if we're going to hit one, we should hit both.

Lover's leap.    

The alternative move is 24/18 13/8, big split plus an extra builder, makes it harder for roadkillbooks to play safe. However, we are ahead in the race with this roll, so nothing wrong with the standard running play. Hitting attempts are feeble, the double hit even worse as it hits loose on the two worst points of the board, leaving a double direct shot for little gain when they're both missed. Double loose hits are only attractive on the high points in your board, early in the game; also, when any alternative moves are unsatisfying.


    1. Cubeful 2-ply    24/13                        Eq.:  -0,0755
        49,26  10,33   0,30 -  50,74  14,79   0,31
        2-ply cubeful prune [world class]
    2. Cubeful 2-ply    24/18 13/8                   Eq.:  -0,0945 ( -0,0189)
        48,41  12,15   0,47 -  51,59  15,93   0,42
        2-ply cubeful prune [world class]
    3. Cubeful 2-ply    13/2*                        Eq.:  -0,1531 ( -0,0776)
        46,21  13,11   0,49 -  53,79  15,97   0,74
        2-ply cubeful prune [world class]
    4. Cubeful 2-ply    24/18 6/1*                   Eq.:  -0,1834 ( -0,1078)
        46,37  11,18   0,40 -  53,63  16,88   0,62
        2-ply cubeful prune [world class]
    5. Cubeful 2-ply    13/7 6/1*                    Eq.:  -0,1841 ( -0,1085)
        45,73  12,96   0,46 -  54,27  16,98   0,98
        2-ply cubeful prune [world class]
    7. Cubeful 2-ply    8/2* 6/1*                    Eq.:  -0,2308 ( -0,1553)
        44,57  12,77   0,45 -  55,43  17,60   1,02
        2-ply cubeful prune [world class]


    1. Cubeful 3-ply    24/13                        Eq.:  -0,1134
        48,19   9,91   0,26 -  51,81  14,87   0,31
        3-ply cubeful prune [grandmaster]
    2. Cubeful 3-ply    24/18 13/8                   Eq.:  -0,1568 ( -0,0435)
        46,82  11,63   0,37 -  53,18  16,45   0,52
        3-ply cubeful prune [grandmaster]
    3. Cubeful 3-ply    13/2*                        Eq.:  -0,2257 ( -0,1123)
        44,43  12,61   0,42 -  55,57  16,83   0,97
        3-ply cubeful prune [grandmaster]
    4. Cubeful 3-ply    13/7 6/1*                    Eq.:  -0,2741 ( -0,1607)
        43,64  12,55   0,41 -  56,36  18,14   1,25
        3-ply cubeful prune [grandmaster]
    5. Cubeful 3-ply    24/18 6/1*                   Eq.:  -0,2778 ( -0,1644)
        43,96  10,30   0,30 -  56,04  17,56   0,78
        3-ply cubeful prune [grandmaster]
    6. Cubeful 3-ply    8/2* 6/1*                    Eq.:  -0,3417 ( -0,2283)
        42,09  12,07   0,39 -  57,91  18,96   1,26
        3-ply cubeful prune [grandmaster]

    1. Cubeful 4-ply    24/13                        Eq.:  -0,0735
        49,47  10,36   0,33 -  50,53  14,78   0,33
        4-ply cubeful prune
    2. Cubeful 4-ply    24/18 13/8                   Eq.:  -0,0932 ( -0,0197)
        48,62  12,21   0,48 -  51,38  15,93   0,45
        4-ply cubeful prune
    3. Cubeful 4-ply    13/2*                        Eq.:  -0,1546 ( -0,0811)
        46,34  13,18   0,49 -  53,66  16,09   0,76
        4-ply cubeful prune
    4. Cubeful 4-ply    13/7 6/1*                    Eq.:  -0,1907 ( -0,1172)
        45,80  13,11   0,46 -  54,20  17,22   1,02
        4-ply cubeful prune
    5. Cubeful 4-ply    24/18 6/1*                   Eq.:  -0,2010 ( -0,1275)
        46,15  11,08   0,38 -  53,85  17,06   0,69
        4-ply cubeful prune
    7. Cubeful 4-ply    8/2* 6/1*                    Eq.:  -0,2465 ( -0,1730)
        44,44  12,69   0,43 -  55,56  17,78   1,02
        4-ply cubeful prune