Efficient Approximation of Backgammon Race Equities

of Backgammon Race Equities Michael Buro NEC Research Institute 4 Independence Way Princeton NJ 08540, USA Abstract This article presents e cient equity approximations for backgammon races based on statistical analyses. In conjunction with a 1{ply search the constructed evaluation functions allow a program to play short races almost perfectly with regard to checker{play as well as doubling cube handling. Moreover, the evaluation can naturally be extended to long races without losing much accuracy.