The Best Racing Formula

[Simborg]

Racing Equity (Pip Count Takes)
by Phil Simborg
Racing Equity (Pip Count Takes)

In a pure racing situation, many people think that if you are winning by 10 percent it is a double, and if you are losing by 12 percent it is a take. That formula truly doesn't apply all the time, as the lower the total pip count, the less you can be down (percentage wise) and take, and the higher the total pip count, you can be down more and still take.
Also note that these percentages apply to "money game" situations where your take point is around 25 percent. In matches, there are times where you should take if you?re down a lot, and times when you should drop when you are only down a little, depending on the score.

For the most part, good players determine the take point for the money game situation, and then they adjust their decision depending on the score. I believe the best calculation was developed by Walter Trice, and it?s called the Trice Formula.

It's sounds a little complicated, but once you memorize it and use it, it's pretty fast and accurate over the board. This applies to pure races, where there is no contact, or very little chance of contact, and where there are no major gaps or stacks in either player's board.

If the lower player?s pip count is over 62, you simply divide by 10, add 1 and round up. So if the pip count is 74 to 81, you take 74 and divide by 10 and that is 7.4. You round up to 8, add 1 and that is 9. Add 9 to 74 and that is 83. The other player can take the cube if he has 83 or less, so in this case, it is a take.

If the lower player?s pip count is under 62, it?s a little more complicated. You subtract 5, divide by 7 and round down. So if the pip count is 55-66, you take 55 and subtract 5, and that?s 50. You divide by 7, and that?s 7 and 1/7, and you round down to 7. You add 7 to 55 and that?s 62. So if the other party has 62 or less he has a take, so in this case, it?s a big drop.


Any questions/suggestions? Email Phil at psimborg@sbcglobal.net