Backgammon Pip Counting

Pip Counting

Symmetry method, Grouping men

From:   Brian Sheppard
Address:   brians@mstone.com
Date:   17 January 1997
Subject:   Re: pips
Forum:   rec.games.backgammon
Google:   01bc0495$b2f88180$3ac032cf@polaris.mstone.com

Robert wrote: > Peter Schwarzberg wrote: > > Can anybody tell me about the most easy way to count pips. Is it to > > count the pips everytime I need the pip count, is it to keep track of > > the pip counting from the beginning of the game and just substract the > > number of the dice at every roll, or is it to count the differens > > between the men of each player, or ...??? > > The best way is to keep a difference total from the beginning and > throughout the game. So if you roll a 3-5 the count is +8 and then your > opponent rolls a 6-5 the count is -3, etc... this is just like a > blackjack count that becomes second nature after you try it for awhile. This seems excessive. I doubt that you need to know the exact pip count to make good decisions, so why bother? (You don't have to answer this question; I know your system works for you :) I recommend relying on a gut feel for who is ahead or behind until racing equity is actually required. Then do an exact count using either the symmetry method or by grouping men. Symmetry Method --------------- You create a correspondence between each of you men and the opponent's men that has the closest pip count. Just keep a running total of the differences between those men. This system has the disadvantage that you don't know the length of the race, just the difference. Grouping Men ------------ Count up each side, taking advantage of the clustering of groups around central points. An example is helpful: X X X X X X X X X X X X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Here we have 12 men, centered around the 5.5 point, so their total pip count is 12 * 5.5 = 66 pips. In using this system, when you don't have a clear central grouping, you can often shift men by a point or two so as to create one. For example: X X X X X X X X X X X X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 If two men on the 5-point were moved to the 4-point, we would have the previous situation, so this situation must be 2 pips more (68 pips). Pick either the Symmetry Method or the Grouping Men method, depending on the shape of the board. Sometimes one is easier. Either is easier than keeping a running total. A running total involves an addition or subtraction on every turn, and the average game lasts 50 turns (cubeless) apiece, so you have 100 additions and subtractions. And when a man is hit you have additional work to do. Both the Symmetry Method and the Grouping Men method yield an accurate pip count in a handful of additions and multiplications. And since a pipcount isn't even needed in most games, you have a tremendous gain in mental efficiency by only computing it when you need it. Brian

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