On Sat, 23 Sep 2000, Rod MacNeil wrote:

     However, one other challenge in a game of mine was notable. In Round 4,
 Joey Mallick went first and opened with GACK. It looked wrong right away. I
 held. I know the 4's pretty thoroughly, but I know Joey does too...so first
 I question my instinct. Ultimately, I decide it's definitely not good.
 Still, I suspect he's up to something, wanting me to challenge it off so he
 can play an 8. I'm holding EHJLOTU, and JOULE 8D (40) seems like plenty to
 me. So...I challenge off GACK*, make my play...and sure enough, Joey plays a
 beautiful GRACKLeS g3 (72). Despite that, I'm certain I made the right play.
 He later claimed he really thought GACK* was good. Others are suspicious. :)
 They say magicians never reveals their secrets...

Hmm, I don't like this gambit in this situation. Without firing up a computer, I'll reason thus: after your next play you will be on average tied with him at around 72 all after each player has made two turns. Whereas had he played, say, CRAG, you're not going to score much with a typical rack (granted you had a 40pt play with your rack otherwise, but it wasn't too far from average equity) and he'll be sitting on the blank after a move pair. Even if SK? isn't one of the better leaves with a blank(the K might not be _too_ bad there), the blank holder is much better off than just giving up the turn and hope for the bingo.

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