Four Away Two Away

From: neilkaz   

Nice article, Stick ! I have used Neil's Rule of 80 at this score for many years.

Re: the cube after 62$ 63R, I'd have not thought that quite good enough to cube yet, but your RO certainly convinces me.

Great article, Stick. Unfortunately, I can testify that Dana has mastered this score. I was up -2 -4 against him in the Finals of the Masters Jackpot of the CA Open a few years ago. I opened with 51 S. Dana rolled 64 P. I danced. He doubled. I took. His "early" and correct double was amply rewarded when I never moved another checker in the match.

Kimba, it's hard to answer such a question not knowing how weak your opponent actually is. In general I'd warn not to overdo making inferior decisions against weaker opposition, esp. if your opponent isn't miles weaker than you are. What happens is you don't cube positions like this and at the end of the match if it was recorded you find out they played better than you.

Two thinks of note about the position though. First off, it's a huge double in theory, a blunder (over .080) not to cube here. So your opponent had better be very weak not to turn the cube. Also, after your opening 31 he knew to run with a 63 instead of the normal money play where you should split with 63 after an opening 31. It's possible that he always gets this response wrong, you may know that from being involved in the match with him, but if he had earlier split after an opening 31 with his 63 and now he runs with it I'd say you aren't up against as weak of an opponent as you think making it even more clear to cube.

In general I think you have to double this position at this score, the opponent would have to a true fishcake for me to hold off.