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From: stassen@spp2.UUCP (Chris Stassen)
Newsgroups: net.rec.bridge
Subject: Bridge playing programs (updated)
Message-ID: <834@spp2.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 21-Dec-85 22:02:02 EST
Article-I.D.: spp2.834
Posted: Sat Dec 21 22:02:02 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 22-Dec-85 10:49:25 EST
Distribution: na
Organization: TRW, Redondo Beach  CA
Lines: 46


	The following are genuine bridge-playing programs/machines.
(Programs which are simply tutorials, and can only play a few preset
hands are not eligible for consideration).

"Bridge 4.0" [Artworx] -  For IBM PC, APPLE ][, C-64  (~ $25.00)

	The program "cheats" (uses knowledge of all four hands to
play and bid), and still doesn't play very well.  It is a 600-line
BASIC program.  One player against three computer players only,
standard bidding only, and it doesn't even do that well (6NT is
"asking for queens"!, and it will bid 8NT! in response if it has
all four).  The user interface bites rocks.

"Bridge Baron" [Great Game Products] - IBM PC, APPLE ][, C-64 ($50.00)

	The program plays honestly, but it has some trouble preserving
entries and discarding properly when the opponents run a long suit.  It
is a 1200-line program, and won the first annual bidding-playing contest
for computer programs.  One player against three computer players only,
standard bidding only:  Gerber, Blackwood, strong 2-bids.
	The user interface is pretty good, except that the random
number generator is re-seeded before each hand.

"Bridge Challenger" [Fidelity Electronics] - Self-contained ($100-$300)

	The program plays honestly, and is probably the best bidding
program available.  It allows Stayman, Jacoby, and a few other con-
ventions, which may be "turned off," if not desired.  Any number of
human players can play against or with any number of computer players.
The only drawback is the slow play (each card must be "scanned" into
the machine when dealt to a computer player, or played by a human
player).  It has a small amount of trouble on defense (too much of
a tendency to return partner's lead, even when it is obviously a
bad thing to do).

	Next to be added to the list:

	Borland's "game design workbench" comes with a bridge-playing
program (AND SOURCE!!).  It's on my christmas list.....

			-- Chris

	Bell Labs is developing a Bridge-playing program (reportedly
over 30,000 lines of source have been written), but it lost to
"Bridge Baron" in the first annual computer bridge contest.