Dice 2-1
The slotting play 13/11, 6/5 and the splitting play 24/23, 13/11, the two most common plays, seem to be about equal. Nothing else is a serious contender.
Dice 3-1
8/5, 6/5 is obviously the only play.
Dice 4-1
The splitting play 24/23, 13/9 has come out clearly superior to the slotting play 13/9, 6/5. Probably the reason is that with the builder on the 9 point there are so many good pointing numbers next turn anyway that you don’t need the 5 point slotted.
Dice 5-1
The splitting play 24/23, 13/8 has come out a bit better than the slotting play 13/8, 6/5. A third less common alternative, 24/18, came out clearly worse.
Dice 6-1
The obvious 13/7, 8/7 is correct. Magriel’s experiment of 13/7, 6/5 is awful.
Dice 3-2
The splitting play 24/21, 13/11 came out a bit better than building with 13/10, 13/11.
Dice 4-2
8/4, 6/4 of course..
Dice 5-2
The normal play for years has been 13/11, 13/8. However the newer splitting play, 24/22, 13/8, (shunned because of the crushing 5-5 threat) has come out a bit better. The slotting play of 13/8, 6/4 (which used to be my choice) did not survive the rollouts — it was clearly inferior.
Dice 6-2
The splitting play of 24/18, 13/11 comes out fairly clearly superior. Running with 24/16 is 2nd, but the run isn’t far enough. Slotting with 13/5 (a common choice several years ago) was definitely in third place.
Dice 4-3
The building play of 13/10, 13/9 and the common splitting play of 24/20, 13/10 were just about tied. The alternative split of 24/21, 13/9 was only a little behind.
Dice 5-3
The simple 8/3, 6/3 is clearly best. The once common 13/10, 13/8 has been found vastly inferior.
Dice 6-3
The splitting 24/18, 13/10 comes out best, but the running play of 24/15 is not too far behind.
Dice 5-4
Splitting with 24/20, 13/8 and building with 13/9, 13/8 come out quite close (that builder on the 9 point is powerful), with the split generally a tiny bit better. 24/15 is weaker still.
Dice 6-4
Both running with 24/14 and splitting with 24/18, 13/9 are about equal. However the once laughed at 8/2, 6/2 has reared its head as a serious contender and comes out about equal with the other choices — nice play to try if you get familiar with it, since your opponent probably won’t be.
Dice 6-5
The simple 24/13 is clearly better than any other possibilities.
