February 15, 2017

*** This hand was suggested by Kello on ecribbage.com
98-78*  ?
76%
19%
4%
Total votes: 214
dec
6359 votes

Joined: April 2008
 
 
 
Wednesday 3:06 AM
With them needing thirteen to get past the line in two hands I would just start with the eight and get in your own par deeper to work on the next hand. Ten lead cautious offense. dec
Rosemarie44
2052 votes

Joined: March 2016
 
 
 
Wednesday 3:21 AM
We need 23 points in this hand and the next. Toss A-3 leaves a hand that starts with 8 points and has a maximum of 16 points. Cut of Jack adds 2 points. Cautious offense or optimal strategy.
glmccuskey says: We should have this hand, hand and crib next, than first count to get out.
Rosemarie44 says: Thank you. I needed to be more specific with my comments.
BigFoot Bob
624 votes

Joined: April 2016
 
 
 
Wednesday 3:28 AM
.
cribbagepogo
3251 votes

Joined: October 2007
 
 
 
Wednesday 4:20 AM
Go for it!
glmccuskey
4102 votes

Joined: April 2011
 
 
 
Wednesday 4:24 AM
.....
mfetchCT425
1400 votes

Joined: February 2009
 
 
 
Wednesday 5:03 AM
Sacrificed 2 points to throw the more defensive A-K. I would not have done this if we needed all 8 points to get into our 4th street CPZ. I have gotten burned too many times on the A-3 toss even though we have a comfortable lead in this game. Cut gives us 8 so without any pegs, we are already at hole 106 and looking good. I will lead the 3 and look for first opportunity to safely play my 5 so not to get trapped with it at the end.
Gougie00 says: I would hate to be cute and lose by 2. I'll admit that I was considering hedging and tossing A-K as well.
duke62 says: I did the same Mike - for the same reasons.
Ras2829
5155 votes

Joined: November 2008
 
 
 
Wednesday 5:52 AM
Certainly wish that this would be a common problem for me. Here with a 20-point lead, will opt to retain the 8 points. Cannot argue with the choice of mfetchCT425 to retain 3-5-10-10 and discard A-K. My scant empirical evidence suggest that there is only .2 of a point difference between the his choice and mine, though starting with a two full points less in hand score. If opponent were another then points down the board, that would have ben my choice since the 2-3 is the second most frequent discard made by dealer to own crib. If opponent were at my shoulder, would have tossed 10-K, played two points, and opted for a defense pegging strategy. I will apply an offense pegging strategy avoiding those situations which could seeming give my opponent. Will echo the above post: "I will lead the 3 and look for first opportunity to safely play my 5 so not to get trapped with it at the end."
Ras2829 says: The next to final sentence that ends abruptly with ...give my opponent should continue with "a chance to close the gap". Ran across this little Valentine's Day poem which caused me a few chuckles. Here goes a day late!"Oh will you be my wallaby?"Asked Mr. Kangaroo."For we could find so very many Jumping things to do.I have a pocket two feet wideAnd deep inside,My dear, you'd ride---Oh come and be my bouncing bride,My Valentine, my side-by-sideI am in love with you."
Ras2829 says: Of course, would lead the 10d and as Inushtuk1 indicates would pair a five if opponent takes 15-2. If dealer has 3 fives, will peg big-time. With opponent twenty points behind can assume such risks.
Gougie00
5731 votes

Joined: March 2008
 
 
 
Wednesday 5:59 AM
Why ease up on the throttle? If the dealer tosses himself 2-3 then so be it. I will march myself down the board as far as possible.
james500
3924 votes

Joined: June 2013
Wednesday 6:38 AM
Hi Kello. Twenty points ahead and already beyond our target position of 96, I suppose we could choose to defend our lead with 10h-K and still maintain a healthy win/loss percentage. I'd risk A-3 however.
ken
200 votes

Joined: June 2016
 
 
 
Wednesday 6:45 AM
I pick my ace and 3
Inushtuk1
1488 votes

Joined: July 2016
 
 
 
Wednesday 8:51 AM
Gotta go for it. With 10 points in my hand will play on. Lead the 10d, and pair the 5 response.
Inushtuk1 says: I think this would have been an amazing puzzle at 98-98*. Ras said he would toss K-10. I wonder how many would agree. I would still toss the A-3. It gives away less than a point more on average to the Dealer's crib. I'm not sacrificing 2 points even at 98-98*. I realize 2-3 is the second most popular Dealer discard, but would still play it this way, with a silent prayer sent above.
duke62
1483 votes

Joined: September 2014
 
 
 
Wednesday 10:04 AM
If the face cards were touching, or maybe even could be filled in for 16, I'd keep the 8. Very very little chance of a skunk and I'm not going out this hand so will play conservatively.
spin121
299 votes

Joined: March 2016
 
 
 
Wednesday 10:42 AM
Keep the 5 and two 10s and it's going to be near impossible to lose this game.