I forget that I should not slot and split at the same time. Missed on one side of the board, I am soon hit loose on the other side. My opponent uses a distraction, a jolt into a state of off-kilter by a prompt and sharp strike on both my blots. Then I spend the rest of this game trying to keep one or another of my children out of jail, but getting nowhere. Gammon loss.

I forget when to separate a pair of runners within a direct shot to cover and when combo coverage is better. How good is the race? How urgent that my runners flee? How valuable is an advanced anchor?

I forget that saving a gammon is not the same as winning a bearoff. Crossovers matter far more when trying to save a gammon. As a gammon looms, do not bury a checker in the home board, unless the placement plugs a gap; and when a gap is plugged the play is still often wrong.

I ignore that I should not split my runners when my opponent has timing problems. An attacking hit, loose or otherwise, deftly allows my opponent to change game plans before the timing issue becomes critical.

I overlook the need to count the number of blots I expose, the caution to assess when a toss of high dice will pry an awkward blot, and the options of all entry choices from the bar.

I succumb to auto-pilot during the roll after my opponent breaks the midpoint and suddenly my aces will hit. My eyes simply do not see it.

I cower when I know existentially I should cube in this highly volatile situation. I refrain, then cash the game on my next turn. My foolish pride claims and records the market loser but admits no blame.

I forget to listen to the emotions behind the chatter in a chouette. My cube play suffers because of it.

What is your excuse?