this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2023
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I am looking for ways to track scores for games where the included score tracking is not great. I would like something tactile, I already use apps but I'd prefer not to fidget with digital devices at the table.

Ideally I'd like something that's:

  • tactile, should be enjoyable to manipulate with our meat appendages
  • easy to read
  • robust, should resist some minor knocking about without losing the scores
  • track 2-4 players
  • go up to at least 100 and preferably also track 100s
  • should be easy to increase or decrease scores in any increments
  • shouldn't take up too much table space

The closest thing I see is a cribbage peg board. Or possibly an abacus. Or maybe one of those click wheels but those don't usually handle larger increments well. Any other options?

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It does technically fufill most of OP's requirements though. xD

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

It's honestly amazing

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I've used coloured glass stones in the past. Use different colours for 1s 10s 100s. It's not perfect, but t tub of these is pretty cheap iirc and great in a sack as a life counter in games like escape the dark castle!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Basically you want a handheld tally counter?

You'd need one for every player and I don't see any multi-counter units immediately hopping out at me. But they exist.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Ah yeah, that's what I meant by "click wheel", I didn't know what they are called. :)
I think larger increments (like score going up or down by 10) are a bit awkward with those, right?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah, it's hard to find mechanical ones that can increment by ten, and I'm not sure if I've ever seen one that can increment down as well as up.

If you do all scores by ten you can cheat and draw an extra zero to the right of the dial number lol. But if it's scores like 1, 2, 5, 10... its tricky.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

This doesn't track 100s, but it's one player https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3336976

This tracks up to 999, same, one player. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1888960

This one is more friendly to multiple players though. Not wheel but square moving https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4664254

(I searched for "score tracker" on thingiverse to get the best results)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I’ve ordered the trackers from Jaces Toy Chest multiple times. The first time was to replace the cards for keeping score in Star Realms. I liked them so much, I bought a bunch for my players in a TTRPG game to keep track of health. The colors I originally ordered aren’t there, but the current ones I received are the same product.

I have a few other Spin Dial life counters from other sellers, but only bring them out when I need scores over 100. Most are 3D printed, and don’t match the feel of the Jace dials.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I love little Etsy sellers like this! We have several puzzle boards made by a kind hobbyist grandfather.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

These look pretty good, I might give them a go, thanks!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Another option is using poker chips, such as the Iron Clays.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago