The Pip Count
📋 What it is
The pip count is the total number of points all your checkers must still travel to bear off — lower means ahead.
🗣️ Coach says
Want to know who is winning the race? Add up how far every one of your checkers still has to go. That total is your pip count. The lower number is ahead. Comparing pip counts tells you whether to race or to fight.
🧠 Memory hook
Add every checker's distance home. Lower pip count = winning the race.
😂 Giggle
Why did the pip count keep everyone honest?
Because it measures exactly how far each side has to go!
😲 Whoa!
Strong players can pip-count a whole board in a few seconds using shortcuts — the count guides nearly every big decision in the game.
✅ Quick check: Your pip count is 90 and your opponent's is 110. Who is ahead in the race?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
You are — a LOWER pip count means less distance left to travel, so 90 is ahead of 110.
Pip count measures distance remaining, so fewer pips means closer to finishing.
🪄 Trick question: A higher pip count means you are ahead. True or false?
Careful — think it through, then reveal.
False — a higher pip count means MORE distance to travel, so you are behind; lower is better.
Pips measure remaining distance, so more pips is worse in the race.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Count the pips for a small position of 3 checkers by adding each checker's distance to the finish.