Phil Kretschman: d12 CWMS +22
Ira 273
Phil 272 ABEY
Positions like this are why I try to play quickly in the early game. I recognize two major threats looming: The ess at 15d for blank bingos, and the 40-point J spot at 13g. I can play BEY for 32 to take out the JET threat now, but I'm banking on Ira not holding the blank. I strongly doubt this is the case, else his earlier KNELT makes less sense. CWMS blocks while retaining the right tiles for 13g; the problem is that it now makes 14b a better spot for the J! No matter how deeply you think you're thinking about a position, there's always more you could've thought of. I totally space out on the lookahead.