Pip counting is adding up the total number of points all your checkers still have to travel to be borne off, giving one number that shows who is ahead in the race. Each checker's distance from bearing off is counted, and the lower your total pip count, the closer you are to winning the pure race. Comparing your pip count with your opponent's tells you whether to play a running game, when you are ahead, or a holding or back game, when you are behind. You do not need perfect counts as a beginner, but a rough pip comparison after each exchange is one of the most useful skills to learn.