J.W.B. says: What is (are) Pips?

james500 says: Hi, hope you're well. It's another puzzle game from NY Times. https://www.nytimes.com/games/pips I should really just stick to cribbage on here, rather than clutter up the page with other things.

J.W.B. says: Thank you for the response James. I’ll certainly check out the game. It’ll give me some reprieve from the 95° heat today in Northern California. - John

tevdodd says: I went Q-K on hand 3. See James post for the full hand.

HfxKen says: Would a 5 lead, even at this position, be an option?

mrob2199 says: I don’t think so Ken-I would go all or nothing with the 8 lead-if he has middles we are in trouble anyways and if he doesn’t I don’t want to give him a quick 2 points

HfxKen says: Thanks!

Eolus619 says: Extra credit ..a post by Rob M on ACC Facebook asks this question …” Had an interesting hand at grass roots last night-I’m the pone needing 8- dealer needs 4 to peg out-I keep 233K and cut a Q- lead the 3 which dealer matches -I reluctantly trip it so we are both 2 out now-he plays an 8 to make the count 17- do you play your K now to make the count 27 or the 2 to make it 19- give me your reasoning”…there are some very useful/insightful comments..but I post this one from none other than Michael Shell the creator of the cribbage treasure…Cribbage Forum back in the day …” I’m interested in the previous play after 3, 3 (6-2). Tripling dealer gives up five immediate losers. Breaking with the K has only three immediate losers though it leaves us with no out card and no possibility of pegging out ourselves. An interesting tradeoff that I’d be curious to read thoughts on..”

Eolus619 says: the question that most all the commenters were asking themselves …what is the next dealer held card that goes best with his/her already played 3 and 8 ?

ryman554 says: Dealer is 4 points out. The answer is the dealer likely has random cards to try to peg, biasing toward small ones, so trying to guess as to what meshes in their hand is likely to fail. Dealer probably doesn't have a pair, and widely spaced cards. Given the choice between k and 2? .throw the king. I put it a 50/50 they have a 2 vs a 4. You know they don't have a 3. You need that go, or better yet 31 for 4.

Eolus619 says: Thx ryman554 for your reasons..this is the “point” of Rob’s post…what is your “why”

orvani says: Sorry my mistake 26 points for getting out but he still in better position than us

ryman554 says: Actually, we are likely in a better position from the dealer -- if we can hold the dealer back. They average 26 points per "cycle". So we're 50/50, but if the dealer doesn't win next deal, we are almost certain to. Remember, the count 3 hands to our 1, and unless we pop a 24+ hand, we have no chance in winning on this hand. So, we must try to slow down the dealer as much as possible while at the same time getting us to 105. The 45 toss certainly helps with the 105, but accelerates the dealer. Our flush scores 10, is guaranteed at least 2 more, and slows the crib of the dealer down. That's why you are seeing most comments here proposing the flush.

MarktheShark says: orvani, as ryman554 says, we are in a better position than Dealer is. We are 6 holes behind Dealer, but note the board position. We are at 89 and Dealer is at 95. Dealer is 26 holes out, yes, but we can defend to try to hold him back. We will be at 101+ after this hand, needing only 20 more in our next three hands (Dealer hand + Dealer crib + Pone hand). Although anything can happen, the odds are greatly on our side, if we do not help Dealer here.