Backgammon Drills
Tools to help serious backgammon players take their game to the next level.
Fundamentals
Foundational skills every player should master.
Pip Counting: Half-Crossover Method
Fast pip-count method for exact or approximate counts
Pip Counting: Cluster Counting
Fast pip counting based on pattern recognition
Shot Counting: Single Shots
Counting rolls that hit a blot at a given distance
Shot Counting: Double Shots
Counting rolls that hit a blot from either of two points
Races and Bearoff
Make the right cube decision in any race or bearoff.
Pippish Races
Race cube decisions for low-wastage (pippish) races
Keith Count
Race cube decisions with simple correction for wastage
2-Checker Bearoffs
Learn to count rolls that bear off the last two checkers
11-12 Rule
Cube decisions for 3 checkers vs. 2-roll position
Liesl Rule
Cube decisions for 4 checkers vs. 3-roll position
Louisa Rule
Cube decisions for 3-roll position vs. 3-4 checkers
Benjamin 3 vs. 3 Checker Rules
Rules for general 3 vs. 3 checker bearoff positions
Benjamin 4 vs. 4 Checker Rules
Rules for general 4 vs. 4 checker bearoff positions
Match Play
Drills to sharpen your match play skills.
Neil's Numbers
Method to estimate match-winning chances from score with minimal memorization required
Match Equity Table Quiz
Quiz on match equity table (to drill accuracy and recall speed)
Tools
Cube Explorer
Compares accuracy of race formulas for any bearoff position
EPC Explorer
Recommends best over-the-board rule for estimating a position's effective pip count (based on Art Benjamin's Primetime article series)
EPC Quiz
Practice estimating effective pip count
2 vs. 2 Checkers Explorer
Explore cube action for 2 vs. 2 checker bearoffs
3 vs. 2 Checkers Explorer
Explore cube action for 3 vs. 2 checker bearoffs
3 vs. 3 Checkers Explorer
Explore cube action for 3 vs. 3 checker bearoffs
4 vs. 4 Checkers Explorer
Explore cube action for 4 vs. 4 checker bearoffs