Christmas Bowl's Head Analyses

Head analysis does not consider either the skill level or the confidence of the person who is being asked to make the shot(s). Neither the score nor the ends to play is usually considered in these hypothetical situations. The bias of bowls and the speed of the green are left out. Consequently there will always be disagreement over what should be played.

Readers should be inspired to share their own thinking in the Comments.

Four different head positions are analyzed assuming that the front ditch is, in turn, in the North(N), South (S), West (W)and East(E) of diagram A. The different orientations create four different tactical situations. The Skips are designated as White and Cross. Their bowls are respectively empty orange circles and purple circles with a cross on them. The small solid orange circle is the jack.

 A North

White alone has a single bowl to play and sits two with four thirds against.  A useful rule is: when you are up don’t be narrow. That is: don’t run through the head and change anything when are already winning the end. White can draw from either the left or the right. If White must score three he should draw from the right with the object to chop and lie on Cross’s bowl at three o’clock. Resting on White’s short counter at 6 o’clock or trailing the jack will also score three. There is a low probability downside of promoting Cross’s 3^rd at 3 o’clock.

If White can be happy with 2 while retaining some chance for 3 the draw on the left side is preferred.

A South

White has a single bowl to play and sits two with four thirds against.  The situation is not changed from AN. Here draw from the left if you must have three. Otherwise draw from the right.

A West

In this head, Cross has a short bowl in front of the jack. Unless it is the final end and White must score three, refuse your last bowl and take a sure two.  If going for three draw from the left aiming to rest on your counter at 9 o’clock. Hitting Cross’s bowl at 10 o’clock may still give the score you need.

A East

In this head the bowls are strung out from side to side at approximate jack length. White has a single bowl to play and sits two with four thirds against.  Draw from the right. White’s bowl at 3 o’clock will partly shield the jack. Resting on this bowl or wicking off Cross’s bowl at 4 o’clock all score three. Drawing from the left has more risk to move the jack back to Cross’s backest bowl.