Forum Archive : Miscellaneous

Backgammon computers From:   Graham Bayne Address:   graham@huckleberrys.net Date:   14 March 2005 Subject:   Backgammon Computer? Forum:   rec.games.backgammon Google:   d14q1h$53b$1@hercules.btinternet.com I am trying to find a backgammon computer. Not a software application for a PC etc but a stand alone unit rather like a chess computer. I have jellyfish for the Palm but really want something board based preferably with actual pieces rather than a screen but either would do. I am in the UK but would be happy to ship from anywhere in the world if necessary. Any assistance would be much appreciated. David Moeser  writes: BG computers have existed but they never achieved commer- cial success like chess computers. A few of the companies that made dedicated, stand-alone chess computers also dabbled in BG computers at one time or another. For example, I saw Fidelity's BG Challenger at the U.S. Open chess tournament held in Fidelity's backyard in Florida in 1985. I don't recall whether it used real pieces but it had a clumsy membrane keyboard for inputs which I found awkward to use. Around that same time Radio Shack was selling a model called 'LCD Backgammon' which popped up again in some mail-order catalog I saw in the last year or so. I don't seem to have saved a copy of that ad, but the original poster might try contacting the John- son-Smith Company which publishes several mail-order catalogs in the U.S. One of their catalogs is called "Things You Never Knew Existed," which includes many old items that disappeard from the retail market decades ago. Their question line is 1-800-853-9490; e-mail customer service is at: custservjs at jsls dot com. I have 'LCD Backgammon' which I think may be the strongest of the handful of models I've seen or heard of. Using chess terminology I'd call it Class D, maybe Class C at best. The backgammon Masters and Grandmasters have always labeled these hand-held BG computers as very weak. It's too bad there hasn't been a big-enough market to attract the manufacturers to put out improved models with stronger programming. A copy of 'LCD Backgammon' upgraded to Class A or Ex- pert level would be well worth the money in my opinion. Frank Berger  writes: I have about 8 Electronic Backgammons at home and all play a very weak game. I collect them, but playing against them is boring. If you want to buy one anyway, I recommend the Saitek with the sensor board (there is also a version with a LCD-display, but that is rare). The "Mephisto" and an older Saitek are also easy to use. I don't know current sources, but they are sold on ebay from time to time.   Did you find the information in this article useful?           Do you have any comments you'd like to add?

 

Miscellaneous

Backgammon computers  (Graham Bayne+, Mar 2005) 

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Giants of Backgammon list  (Raccoon+, Mar 2006) 

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Handicapping--Pass or pick a roll  (Michael J. Zehr, Dec 1997) 

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How bots rate you  (Phil Simborg, Mar 2010) 

Initiatives by local clubs  (Raccoon, Mar 2006) 

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Money management  (Gnoh Mon+, July 2004) 

Money management  (Adam Stocks, Jan 2003) 

Money management and the Kelly Criterion  (Stuart Thomson+, June 1999) 

Notation  (Dean Gay, Feb 2000) 

Notation  (Kit Woolsey, July 1995) 

Position cards  (Francois Hochede, Jan 2004) 

Posted diagrams are scrunched up  (Dale+, Sept 2000) 

Top women players  (Tami+, Nov 2006) 

Typesetting backgammon  (Jason Lee+, Apr 2006) 

What is Zbot?  (Douglas Zare+, Dec 2003) 

What is backgammon?  (David C. Oshel, Aug 1997) 

Why do people play for money?  (Hank Youngerman+, Sept 2005) 

World Champions  (John Bazigos, June 1994) 

rec.games.backgammon mini-FAQ  (Daniel Murphy, Mar 1998) 

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