Help with strategy for a simple game for a book I am writing:

[rakbeater]

Hope this is the right forum to put this in....This is a strategy I am trying to fine tune for a book I am writing about the card game Pinochle.


Here are the rules:

Two player game - First player to 40 points wins. Game starts 0 points to 0 points.

Players alternate turns.

One turn consists of rolling one six-sided die (numbers 1-6) and adding that number to your score.

Here is where the strategy comes into play...

If your opponent rolls a 5 or 6, you have the option to keep your opponent from adding that number to their score and instead subtracting it from your score.

So if the score is 10 to 10 and your opponent rolls a 5, the score would be 15 to 10. You have the option to subtract that 5 instead of allowing your opponent to add to his score. That would make the score 10 to 5. You would be down 5 either way.

The strategy question is.......in what score situations would you choose to subtract from your score instead of letting your opponent add to his score? Can you make a set of rules to guide your decision making process for each score situation?

[geosun]

You would choose to subtract from your score closer to the end if you were losing to prolong the game, so you continue to have a chance to win.
also does this need to be exactly 40?

[rakbeater]

You would choose to subtract from your score closer to the end if you were losing to prolong the game, so you continue to have a chance to win.
also does this need to be exactly 40?

No it just needs to be 40 or greater to win.

Would you choose to subtract from your score at any point in the game when you are behind? or just towards the end? Is there a scenario where you should subtract when you are leading? Should you subtract at every opportunity?