From: Alex Delvecchio <icenine@panix.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 1998 21:37:33 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: Consensus Game #1
Message-id: <Pine.SUN.3.94.980107211613.8192C-100000@panix2.panix.com>

From the desk of G.I. Joelgernaut:

On Wed, 7 Jan 1998, John J. Chew III wrote:

2| - " " - |2 cgp DEFHIOY 0 ---

I go with HYOID 8d. Score and turnover are excellent, leave is useful, and positioning the I over dls is actually an advantage here, as it leaves an almost guaranteed 22+ for the F next either down to the Y or across from 9g. Ordinarily I would agree with Walker W. that the first E is not an important keeper, but when the choice is between keeping E or O, then I consider the difference overwhelming -- duplicate O's are generally horrendous, while duplicate E's are frequently useful. If I was choosing between EDIFY and DEIFY, then I would play the dls more defensively, but I don't see any reason to play either of those and invite a 48-pt. -ING, when I don't have to. With none of AGLNRST in hand, I don't consider any of the 3-tile plays worthwhile because none of their leaves are anywhere near optimal yet, and 2 ?s and 4 Ss in bag rule strongly in favor of heavier turnover. Finally, while the F is not as flexible as the H for hooking single vowels, it is still quite powerful as a 2 to make 3 hooker, in case opponent responds with a parallel play. I just see too many reasons here that favor HYOID over EDIFY.

G.I. Joelgwearetheworld (rated 20xx)