Score: 368-354
Pool: EEIIJLPSSTTU?
Opponent’s options: Bingos in row 14 or columns j, l-o, short J plays (JUKE, JEU, etc,)
Candidate plays: QAT 5c (35), QI 14h (25), FAQIR f2 (19) QUBIT n7 (18),
Potential plays on next turn: Bingos in row 14 or columns j, l-o
Subgoal: Maximize your odds of bingoing and winning even if you end up trading bingos, and that you’ll have a bingo line if your opponent plays a bingo. Assume you draw the blank, or you’re probably toast.
Resolution: FAQIR is not an option because the R is extremely valuable with this board and this pool. QI is also not an option: row 13 bingos close every last line. Thus, your two options are QUBIT and QAT. However, just as before your opponent may be able to bingo out, particularly if they have the J. QUBIT vastly increases your probability of drawing the blank, but leaves you in a much worse position if you fail to draw it, as an opponent’s bingo is devastating and your rack will be only slightly better than random.
Being the second player to bingo is very important. Most opponents are unwilling to forgo bingos, but some are. If they are capable of stalling a bingo, you are better off playing QUBIT: you need to make sure you get the second bingo. If they are not, if not, you should play QAT, as that gives you the best chance to win assuming you trade bingos.