tjt@styx.UUCP (Tim Tessin) (02/12/86)
We are currently developing a suite of computer bridge programs. Our first program is a bridge "mediator". It is designed to work over BSD4.2 network and allows connection to the internet as well as locally. It is screen based and as you may presume allows 4 persons to play bridge with the computer mediating the dealing, bidding, and play as well as keeping score (rubber). It still needs work to allow gracefull start up and quitting and some form of broadcast table talk. When this is all finished I will probably post to the net. I know that several people have mentioned that they have a computer program to deal hands. I would be interested in dealing strategies. I tried several and a few of them seemed to be "strange". Statistically they checked out but they just didn't "feel" right. The ones that seemed strange used an ordered list of cards picked at random. The one I am using now actually randomly shuffles a list of cards. Any similar experiences would be helpful. We are also beginning design on a program which will participate in a game. (Sometimes getting that 4th can be a bitch!). We are considering several design/implementation strategies. Using a rule based inference engine for bidding seems to be a natural but so far we are just kicking things around. We would be interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with programs that play one or more positions in a bridge game. I know there are programs for DOS and such. I would be interested to see how some of the other programs are implemented. Thanx Tim ucbvax!styx!tjt tjt@lll-tis-b.ARPA