Raijin

Below are blunders from an online match against Raijin.

I trail 7 away 6 away and have 64 to play.

is Raijin score: 1 pip: 162

7 point match

pip: 175 score: 0 is Chutzpah

XGID=a--aB-CAB---cCb--c-eAAA-A-:0:0:1:64:0:1:0:7:10

to play 64

1.	XG Roller+	24/20 13/7	eq: +0.350
	Player: Opponent: 56.77% (G:17.07% B:0.63%) 43.23% (G:8.71% B:0.29%)
2.	XG Roller+	13/3*	eq: +0.221 (-0.129)
	Player: Opponent: 53.29% (G:19.86% B:0.82%) 46.71% (G:13.68% B:0.83%)
3.	4-ply	20/16 13/7	eq: +0.267 (-0.083)
	Player: Opponent: 55.54% (G:17.33% B:0.80%) 44.46% (G:11.59% B:0.58%)

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.01, MET: Kazaross XG2

I was thinking behind in the race and the better board I should attack, and so moved 13/3*.

This is faulty logic.  Instead I believe I should just make a balanced play.  24/20, 13/7 does several good things.  I make the best defensive anchor and form a solid offensive structure at the same time. Raijin's structure is undeveloped and brittle.  I improve my position slowly and await developments.

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Later in same game and I have 51 to play.

is Raijin score: 1 pip: 163

7 point match

pip: 173 score: 0 is Chutzpah

XGID=a-aBB-CB----c-b--c-eCAA-A-:0:0:1:51:0:1:0:7:10

to play 51

1.	XG Roller+	22/21 20/15	eq: +0.274
	Player: Opponent: 54.07% (G:19.06% B:0.74%) 45.93% (G:9.88% B:0.36%)
2.	XG Roller+	22/21 7/2*	eq: +0.147 (-0.127)
	Player: Opponent: 51.06% (G:19.23% B:0.65%) 48.94% (G:12.56% B:0.49%)
3.	4-ply	21/15	eq: +0.213 (-0.061)
	Player: Opponent: 52.98% (G:18.29% B:0.77%) 47.02% (G:10.62% B:0.35%)

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.01, MET: Kazaross XG2

I jumped off the bridge with 22/21, 7/2*.  This reveals another concept error.

Am I really positioned to attack with 6 guys back?  Hell no.  Do I really want the 2 point anyway?  Hell no.  Those guys on the bar are decently placed laready and could only be improved by making hte 5 point.  Does going deep to the 2 point help my timing?  Hell no. 

The correct play 22/21, 20/15 seems all too obvious now.  I secure the second anchro in his home board, keeping me in the game for a long time.  I also jump out into the outfield in roder to preserve my timing.  Timing, and keeping all checkers in play are the most important factors right now.

**************

I trail 4 away 7 away and have 54 to play.

is Raijin score: 3 pip: 76

7 point match

pip: 108 score: 0 is Chutzpah

XGID=--CBBBB-----bB---b-bBacda-:0:0:1:54:0:3:0:7:10

to play 54

1.	4-ply	20/11	eq: -0.300
	Player: Opponent: 39.67% (G:4.10% B:0.07%) 60.33% (G:2.18% B:0.01%)
2.	4-ply	13/4	eq: -0.350 (-0.051)
	Player: Opponent: 38.24% (G:5.14% B:0.23%) 61.76% (G:2.99% B:0.03%)
3.	4-ply	20/16 13/8	eq: -0.359 (-0.060)
	Player: Opponent: 38.57% (G:6.91% B:0.23%) 61.43% (G:9.06% B:0.17%)

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.01, MET: Kazaross XG2

Yes this is an easy one but at least I got it right!

20/11 in order to maintain maximum contact is clearly correct.  It is especially easy in this example as the board is double blotted and Raijin has little ammo to attack me with.

I associate this concept from both Stick's and Robertie's DMP articles, which is how I remember it.  Staying back wins more, and in this case there is little gammon danger.

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Next up I have a 16 to play, trailing 3 away 7 away.

is Raijin score: 4 pip: 158

7 point match

pip: 173 score: 0 is Chutzpah

XGID=----a-EaC---eD---cAe----AA:0:0:1:61:0:4:0:7:10

to play 61

1.	XG Roller+	Bar/18	eq: +0.188
	Player: Opponent: 49.52% (G:12.34% B:0.36%) 50.48% (G:10.90% B:0.37%)
2.	XG Roller+	Bar/24 13/7*	eq: +0.039 (-0.149)
	Player: Opponent: 46.27% (G:11.31% B:0.41%) 53.73% (G:15.18% B:0.86%)
3.	2-ply	Bar/24 8/2	eq: -0.131 (-0.319)
	Player: Opponent: 41.38% (G:10.09% B:0.34%) 58.62% (G:15.96% B:1.10%)

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.01, MET: Kazaross XG2

Here I didn't really think at all.  I am sure I just saw the hit, made the hit, and picked up my dice.

Making the defensive bar looks like a solid play.  I am behind but the race is close.  With an anchor I await developments and just play from there.  The hit is unlikely to work.  He has return hits with 1's 6's and 3's.  Also by making the bar his 6's don't play as well.