Bear off Close-out

You’ve hit a checker late in the game, and managed to close your opponent out. You’ve got a perfect board ready to start bearing off. Are you winning? Do you have a double?

This is a useful reference position. Over the board you’ll want to adjust your decision sometimes - when your board isn’t so perfect; when you have a prime but haven’t yet closed out your opponent, etc - but the three numbers to remember are 5 - 8 - 11:

Opponent’s Checkers Off Cube Decision Your Winning %

5 Double / Take 78% (barely a take)

8 No Double 52% (roughly 50:50)

11 Opponent can double 24%

you while on the bar!

You can just Take