Author: Orad Reshef

We continue our series on cluster counting by learning a few more common clusters for checkers near and around our home board. 4. The deck Continuing with our series of named cluster positions, we have the deck. This one is a prime that extends from the 5-pt to the 8-pt. It’s aptly named, since not…

To fully make use of the references we learned in parts 1 through 3 of this series on cluster counting, we will need to make use of the mental shift method we learned about previously. 9. Bear-off positions When bearing off, you very often get to use the 10-checker references with fancy names (e.g., the…

We continue our series on cluster counting by learning a few more common clusters for checkers in the outfield and our opponent’s homeboard. 6. The mid-point One checker on each of the mid-point and the bar-point add 20 pips to the count: It often turns out to be easier to count the checkers on the…

The final pip counting method we will learn about is called cluster counting. It provides the absolute count, and I believe it’s currently the most popular pip counting method. I can see why — it’s sort of a game-within-a-game, where you learn little tricks, improve, and get little satisfaction dopamine hits when figuring out something…

Instead of pausing to calculate the (relative) pip count multiple times per game, some players prefer to keep a running pip count in their heads throughout the game. The dice and the checker play have all the information you need to keep track of it at every step of the game. As far as techniques…