What does EPC mean in UNCLASSIFIED

EPC stands for Effective Pip Count.

EPC is calculated by taking into account all legal moves that can be made in a turn, and then summing up all of their associated pip counts. The final result is the effective pip count for that specific turn.

In backgammon, having an understanding of effective pip count can help you determine which moves are the most beneficial or efficient for each situation. Thus, it can be very helpful when trying to devise an effective strategy in the game.

Generally speaking, it's better if your overall EPC during a session is lower than your opponent's; this usually means you are moving your pieces more efficiently than them. However, there isn't necessarily a set number range that would indicate “good” or “bad” plays - rather, how effectively you move will depend on the specific moves you make and how they line up against what your opponent has done.

You don't need to constantly recalculate your effective pip count after every move - though it's always helpful to check at certain points throughout the game to ensure you're on track with your strategy. As long as you have implemented a solid overall plan beforehand, keeping track of your performance via effective pip count shouldn't be necessary outside of those key moments where mid-game adjustments may need to be made.