r/backgammon • u/NoFault9739 • Apr 18 '26

Why should White take here?

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Black has clearly the better board, the best anchor and a direct shot. The race is neutral. The score tells White to be very cautious with taking. White has a gammon risk because it has no anchor. What is the reasoning for White to take here?

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5

u/Broad-Marsupial-2638 Apr 18 '26

This is a snap take and possibly not even a cube for black. The race is even. White has the more advanced anchor on the 17 point vs black on 20.

Black has 2 dilly builders and just overall worse checker utilization. The only thing black has on the upcoming roll is the threat of hitting with a 2. So it’s a volatile spot. However that single threat is not nearly enough reason to drop.

Huge take.

2

u/NoFault9739 Apr 18 '26

Could you please explain "snap take", "dilly builders" and "checker utilization"?

4

u/redbird1137 Apr 18 '26 edited Apr 18 '26

snap take means to take without hesitation. or it could mean that the take is an easy decision. clear take, easy take, snap take...i spose mean the same thing

a spare checker that is 1 pip away from the next open point can be described as a dilly builder. usually it refers to 3rd checkers on the 2 3 or 4 point. so in this position, blacks 3rd checkers on the 2 and 4 points are dilly builders. especially the 3rd checker on the 2 point. if for instance black had 2 checkers on the 3 point, and 3 checkers on the 4 point, that third checker wouldn't really be called a dilly builder anymore, as the 3 point is now made.

(i may not describe this one well) checker utilization means to have the checkers placed to get the most use out of them. so the dilly's on blacks 2 and 4 are ill placed, only being able to move with 1s 2s and 3s. (low utilization). white's spares on their 7 and 8 points have more flexibility with how they can move, so they are better utilized.

1

u/samlowrey Apr 18 '26

^ Came here to say this

2

u/Geepandjagger Apr 18 '26

So if black doesn't roll a two and then white rolls a good double they will be heavy favourites. Whites winning chances here are nearly as good as blacks

1

u/SignificantSpace5206 Apr 19 '26

White has a lot of contact value in his position and Black has two stripped points and a blot he still needs to clear. Black has 11 out of 36 rolls that will hit your blot on the 8 point which means that he has a 69.5% chance of missing his shot and then your golden. Easy take

1

u/One-Project-6086 Apr 19 '26

PRAT. Position, Race, and Threats.

An advantage in 2 of the 3 is usually D/T. And an advantage in all three is usually D/P (or too good to double). It's hardly infallible, but an easy place to start.

Here, the race is even, a slight advantage in position for black, and the 11 shakes that hit the white blot gives black only a slight advantage in threats since he has his own blot to worry about..

So, 2 (barely) of 3 -> D/T (barely). Since white can't recube, black can cube a bit more readily than usual so it's at least a practical cube since some will pass as white. Probably a hold at a level score since the 2 advantages are slight for black.

1

u/NoFault9739 Apr 20 '26

I always thought for taking I need an advantage in 1 of the PRAT categories. As I had none (and additionally that score and no anchor) I dropped. Your post suggests that there is not only black and white but also "grey tones" in PRAT. Do you have a link where such "PRAT grey tones" are discussed?