The key element of pip counting is speed; if you cannot arrive to a final number quickly your pip count will not be of much help. Because of this, I believe the “five-count” method is the best technique for how to count pips quickly.

The “Five-count” method divides the points, bar, and pocket on the Backgammon board in “Groups” assigning them a “neutral number” that is then adjusted to arrive to the final count. In total, there are 6 Groups:

• Group 0: consisting of the points 1 and 2 and the pocket; its neutral number is the pocket.
• Group 1: consisting of the points 3-7 and having number 5 as its neutral number.
• Group 2: consisting of the points 8-12 and 10 as its neutral number
• Group 3: consisting of the points 13-17 and with 15 as its neutral number
• Group 4: consisting of the points 18-22 and having number 20 as its neutral number
• Group 5: consisting of the points 23 and 24 and the bar considered the neutral point with a value of 25   pips

To each of the points to the left of the neutral number a negative value is assigned based on its distance from the neutral number. The point immediately after the neutral number will be assigned with a -1, the point two points away from the neutral number is assigned with -2. The same principle is applied to those numbers to the right of the neutral number only that with positive values. So for instance, in Group number 4 point 19 will have a value of 20 (the neutral number) minus 1= 20-1=19.

The next step is to get a total “Group Count”. This is done by adding up the total number of checkers in a particular Group and multiplying it times the group’s number; i.e. if there are 8 checkers total in Group 1 (three checkers on point 7, and five on 6) then the count would be 8×1=8. Once you know the total count for each Group add it up and you get the final Group Count. This number then should be multiplied by 5 to get a Rough Pip Count. Let us say the Group Count equals 8, then 8×5=40; 40 is the Rough Pip Count.
Now, to get a precise pip count we should adjust the Rough Count. Remember the negative and positive values assigned to the points to either side of the neutral number? Well, assign the values of those points to each checker that stands on them, i.e.: two checkers standing on a -2 point total -4; then see if there are checkers that would cancel out this total. i.e.: 2 checkers on point 6 =+2 and one checker on point 3 = -2; -2+2=0, they cancel each other out. If all checkers cancel each other, then the Rough Count turns out to be exact. If the final calculation turns out for instance -2 (from a checker on point 3 without being canceled out), then the precise count should be 40 (rough count)-2 (adjustment) = 38 (exact pip count).

I hope this will help you know how to count pips quickly.