Backgammon Pip Counting

Pip Counting

Tips

From:   Patti Beadles
Address:   pattib@netcom.com
Date:   22 December 1994
Subject:   Re: Pit Counting Tips
Forum:   rec.games.backgammon
Google:   pattibD18F42.MJI@netcom.com

I always do absolute counts, not relative ones, and I've learned to do them fairly quickly. Here are some tips: - Stop using the pipcounter on FIBS! This is the most important thing I've done. "toggle allowpip" will stop you from getting a pipcount with the "pip" command, and also prevent your opponent from doing it. - Learn a few simple patterns that come up often. For example, a closed board with no spares is 42. Two checkers each on 4, 5, and 6 is 30. Two checkers each on 7 and 8 is also 30. - Make sure you know multiples of 13 for the midpoint. Likewise for 18 with your opponent's bar point, although that isn't quite as necessary. - Your opponent's 5-point is 20 pips. I tend to count checkers in my opponent's board, multiply by 20, and then add in any differential. - Figure out some way to remember your count while you do your opponent's side. I've got a simple method of using my fingers to remember the count, since I'm hopeless at actually remembering numbers. (For a while, it was count my side, count my opponent's side, oops! count my side again, geez, now count my opponent's side again, give up.) - Practice, practice, practice. Another thing that I've found useful is learning when I need a precise pipcount (races, etc.) and when an approximate one will do. If I don't need absolute accuracy, I take shortcuts... two checkers on my opponent's ace point is 50, for example. One other thing... in a straight race, it's sometimes helpful to keep a running count. Get an accurate count once, then keep track of how it changes after each roll... e.g. I'm nine pips up. My opponent rolls 5 2, now I'm two pips up. I roll 6 4 and I'm twelve up. etc. If you've ever played blackjack and counted cards, you'll find this quickly becomes second nature. It's possible to do it in contact positions, too-- I did this for several games, keeping a running pipcount from the opening roll on. While it can be done, I found that it wasn't all that useful, and it distracted me from bigger issues. -- Patti Beadles | pattib@netcom.com | Algolagnia abounds! pattib@ichips.intel.com | or just yell, "Hey, Patti!" | One bad cube can ruin your entire day.

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