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Money Play. Should Red double? If doubled, should White take?
Not an easy problem.
However, it is in essence a prime versus prime and there is a rumour that all pvp’s are doubles and takes. Apply that maxim here and you get the right answer! If Red makes his 5-pt next turn (50% chance) then both players will have two checkers trapped behind a 5-pt prime. Red will have the advantage because he isn’t on the bar.
However, he needs (a) to cover his 5-pt and (b) roll a five very soon. He is the favourite, but he is only just good enough to double and it is only the volatility that creates the double. Both players will win a good percentage of gammons from this position.
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