Backgammon pip count: who is ahead in the race
The pip count is the total distance your checkers must travel to bear off. Learn to count it and use it to decide whether to race or fight. Winning ideas · lesson 4 of 4.
The lesson in words
Each checker needs to travel its point number to bear off: a checker on 13 needs 13 pips. Add them all up and you have your pip count. Lower is better.
At the start, both players need 167: 2×24 + 5×13 + 3×8 + 5×6.
Count the race before you decide how to play. That’s the Backgammon path complete!
Questions
You need 120 pips and your opponent needs 145. Who’s ahead in the race?
You, by 25 pips. Fewer pips means fewer rolls to get home.
You’re well ahead in the race. What should you usually do?
When you’re ahead, avoid contact: run home safely and bear off. Hitting and blocking matter more when you’re behind.