Fundamentals of Doing a Pip Count in Backgammon
In order for you to figure out what to do next in a backgammon game you should know if you are leading in the game or trailing behind. You can adjust your game strategy according to your actual status. In order for you to know if you're in the lead or not, you should know how to use a pip count. The pip count is the tool that you use in backgammon to determine who's in the lead in a game.
The pip count isn't a very complex concept in backgammon. In fact by checking out the definition for the words pip and count in backgammon lingo you'll know what this really means. Basically, a pip count is a count of the number of pips or points all your backgammon checkers need to go through until they are taken off the board. This is the total number of points that you yet have to go over in order to win a race in backgammon.
You won't have any problems with the pip count when you play backgammon on the Internet since online gaming systems will display the current pip count on your screen. You'll have to do a little math when you play a live game since you'll be doing all the counting yourself.
How do you then use the pip count while engaged in a game? As stated earlier, using the pip count will tell you who's in the lead and who is trailing behind. You then adjust your strategy either by playing aggressively to catch up or to play it safe when you have a significant lead in the pip count. After doing a little addition and finding yourself about ten percent ahead in the pip count; you can then safely assume you are the current favorite to win your current game.
If you are in the lead in the pip count in backgammon it is a good idea not to lay any blots for your opponent to hit. You can expect that your opponent would want to hit your checkers to slow you down. But that doesn't mean you are not going to hit your opponent when you have a chance. Hitting your opponent will further push him back in the pip count. If you are forced to leave blots then leave blots that are least likely to be hit.
Now if you are the player trying to catch up in the pip count, it is better to make a gamble and hit your opponent's blots whenever one shows up on the backgammon board. If you play safe when you are behind, you will not likely be able to catch up. A trick you can do is to cycle your checkers by letting blots get hit and entering them from the bar. That way you have more chances to hit opposing checkers coming into your opponent's home board. Always use the pip count to adjust your backgammon strategy.