Urquhart's Pip counting system, adapted

I think I finally found a pip counting system I can use.

I am using a modified version of Urquhart's Absolute Pip Count (UAPC) which was described in Gammon Village in January 2013.


His system is based on the two point and takes four steps to get an exact count.

1: Count # of crossovers times six (This moves all checkers to home board)

2: Count # of semi-crossovers ** times three (This moves all checkers to near half of the home board)

3: Add 30 pips (this assumes all 15 checkers are stacked on the two point)

4: Adjust for Unit crossovers (add one pip for checker at far edge and subtract one pip for checker at leading edge of triad)


** Semi-crossover means moving from the far side of quadrant to near side of quadrant.



Here is my adapted version:


For You:
1: Count # of crossovers

2: Count # of semi-crossovers. Count each as 1/2

For Opponent:

1: Count # of crossovers

2: Count # of semi-crossovers. Count each as 1/2


Difference times six is the approximate pip count difference.


So by omitting the conversion to absolute count I only get the difference.

And also by skipping the last step the difference is not exact. The count may be off be a few pips if checkers are not centered in each triad.

For my purposes, I mainly want to know ...

Is the race about even?
Am I ahead some or a lot?
Am I behind some or a lot?

and this method seems a quick and easy way to determine the status of the race with confidence.


An exact count is usually not needed. If it is, in a race scenario for example, I can use other methods to determine the exact count. Usually I try to get the raw count for each side.



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Here is an example using the method:

is tanzsox score: 0 pip: 129

7 point match

pip: 167 score: 0 is Chutzpah

XGID=----ABCaB---cC---eBdAb--A-:0:0:1:00:0:0:0:7:10

on roll, cube action?

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

I (yellow) have:

crossovers, starting from opponent's home board ... 3,6, plus 5x2 or 16, +2 is 18 crossovers.
Plus semi-crossovers, again starting from opponent's home board ... 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, none on my outer board, plus 3 more from my home board or 23 Total crossovers.

Opponent (black) has:

crossovers ... 0, 2-4-6-8, plus 5 is 13
semi-crossovers ... 13.5, plus 3 from home board or 16.5 total crossovers.

So I am behind approximately 6.5 crossovers or about 39 pips.

Actual is 38 pips.  Not bad.  And this is actually pretty quick to do in your head.  Much quicker than writing it out long hand.

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Here is one more for practice:

is tanzsox score: 5 pip: 160

7 point match

pip: 116 score: 4 is Chutzpah

XGID=-a--BbEBC---cBA--cac-b----:0:0:1:00:4:5:0:7:10

on roll, cube action?

eXtreme Gammon Version: 2.10

Me / Yellow:

2-4-6, plus 5 is 11 crossovers
plus semis in the home board, 12,13,14,14.5 total crossovers

Opponent / Black:
3-6-9, 11-13-15, plus 4 is 19 crossovers
plus semis 19.5, 20.5-21.5-22 total crossovers

I am up 7.5 crossovers or about 45 pips.   (Actual 44)