In the late 1960’s, early 70’s Lucille Ball became enamored with backgammon. She played it with Gary, family and even fans who would eventually become friends as much as possible. Another aficionado of the game was Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. He and real estate broker Stan Herman founded PIPS in 1973, a private non-profit backgammon club located in Beverly Hills. Dues were paid by members to play and they also hosted annual tournaments which would be named after the redhead called ” The Lucille Ball Backgammon Tournament.” They benefited various charities, a favorite of Lucy’s being the Children’s Hospital Orthopedic Division.
These mementos from PIPS are connected to Lucy’s involvement with the club over the years. The first being a heart shaped glass paperweight which reads PIPS Loves Lucy with her famous Al Hirschfeld caricature. The photo of Lucy holding one of these paperweights is from producer Larry York’s collection. PIPS also made matchbooks bearing the same graphics. Trophies were awarded, some doubling as a crystal decanter like the ‘Intermediate Winner’ of the 4th annual tournament held in 1979.
Lucille Ball loved backgammon so much she constructed permanent tables to be installed in her home, had several traveling cases to play on the go or on vacation and often held private in-home tournaments with those close to her. By the late 1980’s she and her cohorts could be found at the tables for hours on end.
