Game 5, move 7: ah_clem 5-1

[diane]

[ah_clem]

Three choices here after entering with the ace. Slot the bar, hit on the 8 and bury a checker on the ace.  Burying is definitely out.  Slotting may well be better, but I'm going to hit.

Both sides have a two point board so exchanges of hits are a wash.  But the Herd only has one man back and is poised to spring him as well as make a third homeboard point.  By taking away half the roll, I keep the herd off balance and hopefully thwart these objectives.  Yes, this exposes four blots vs two, but I think the tempo is worth it.

bar/24 13/8*