[blml] Law 27 repair

[Gampas at aol.com]

In a message dated 01/05/2008 21:59:48 GMT Standard Time,  
Guthrie at NTLworld.com writes:

[A] Mandate the use of a bidding box -- only *one* per table -- but  
otherwise used in the ordinary way. It would be harder to make an  
insufficient bid if it was no longer available in the communal bidding  
box.
 
This seems an excellent idea. In competitive backgammon, with clocks, one  
set of dice are used, and this avoids premature rolls.
 
However, the current design of the bidding box is poor for multiple use,  and 
an electronic system, similar to online bridge, might be better. Like  
technology for assisting arbiters in sport, I suspect price will prevent  adoption. 
Meanwhile we have to make the best we can of Law 27!