When Black holds the 22pt anchor (White’s 3pt) Black generally has a mediocre position to go along with the mediocre anchor. When White doubles and few gammons are to be had, as is typical of one-way holding games, then perhaps Black should pass these reference take situations, even when rollouts indicate Black can accept the cube sometimes and play on for the savings of a few milli-points of equity lost. One reason is White typically can play perfect backgammon as White scoots by Black’s mediocre 22pt anchor.

Of course, the advice applies only to reference takepoints of 22pt anchors. Here are a few examples.

White doubles. Black can pass or Black can take, as rollouts confirm that less than 2mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are small, about 9% for White and only 3% for Black.

White doubles. Black can pass or Black can take, as rollouts confirm that less than 4mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are again small, about 6% for White and only 1% for Black.

White doubles. Black can pass or Black can take, as rollouts confirm that less than 5mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are very small, about 3% for White and only 1% for Black.

White doubles. Black has the closed home board. Nevertheless, Black should pass, as rollouts confirm that 20mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are very small, about 2% for White and only 1% for Black.

White doubles. Black’s home board is shaky with two dead spares and two open points for White to escape from the bar. Black should pass, as rollouts confirm that about 20mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are small, about 9% for White and only 1% for Black.

White doubles. Black should now take, as rollouts confirm that about 20mp of equity is forfeited otherwise. The gammon chances are small, about 7% for White and only 1% for Black.

In summary, the strength of Black’s home board is the factor that links the reference take positions above. The possibility of a flyshot hit of a white outfield blot is another factor. In the next three positions, the outfield attack gains more prominence, and the home board strength is reduced to compensate.

White doubles. Black can pass or Black can take, as rollouts confirm that less than 2mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are medium, about 13% for White and only 5% for Black.

White doubles. Black can pass or Black can take, as rollouts confirm that less than 4mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are medium, about 12% for White and only 2% for Black.

White doubles. Black can pass or Black can take, as rollouts confirm that less than 7mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are small, about 5% for White and only 1% for Black.

The chance for combat between outfield checkers makes a difference in the 22pt cube decisions.

Finally, here are some reference take positions where a dancer is on the bar.

Here Black’s 22pt anchor is trapped behind a full white prime. White is also on the bar and can only enter with ones (eleven rolls). When White dances Black begins to destroy his own home board. The longer White dances, the worse things get for Black. Perhaps it is remarkable that this position is a reference take, as rollouts confirm that less than 4mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are medium, about 12% for White but only 4% for Black.

Now Black is on the bar and White doubles. Black currently has no other blots and there is plenty of play left in the outfield. Black’s home board is under construction, likely growing. Thus, dancing is not the worst outcome for Black.

Perhaps it is remarkable that this position is a reference take, as rollouts confirm that less than 3mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are good, about 19% for White but only 4% for Black.

Early in the middle game. White has created a Houdini position (both backmen escaped) and Black has the mediocre 22pt anchor. Nevertheless, this position is a reference take, as rollouts confirm that less than 7mp of equity is forfeited. The gammon chances are average, about 13% for White but only 4% for Black.

As noted in the introduction Black can choose to pass these reference 22pt anchor situations. When, however, an ordinary double is made by White into a mediocre Black anchor, the above reference takes should be used to compare and conclude whether Black should take or drop the garden-variety cube.