Bridge Base Online
Instructions
With the closure of our local clubs, many of us
are now playing bridge on our computers, tablets, and cell phones with Bridge
Base Online (BBO). Here is some information that will help you get started.
There are slightly different user interfaces
depending on whether you are using a desk computer, a laptop, a tablet, or a
cell phone. The functionality should be the same on each device, but some of
the buttons are located in different spots on the screen.
1. Sign-up steps
a) Logging on
If you want to play on
BBO, but have not in the past, these steps will get you started:
First, click on the BBO
website: bridgebase.com
b) Registering
Once on their site, notice
a red rectangle that says Login/Register. If you’re already registered,
login. If not, click on the rectangle and you will next see a screen
where you can register. Halfway down the middle of the next page click on the button that says: Become a member (free!). It
is free to join and to play some types of bridge tournaments on BBO.
On the next screen you
will need to make up a BBO user name for yourself as well as a
password. You then provide your real name and ACBL number (which
they keep private). Your ACBL number will automatically be associated with
your BBO user name when you play in any BBO game.
You will assess your own
skill level by checking a box and then select your country from the
alphabetical list. You need to check the box to accept their terms of service
and then you’ll be able to click on the button to Register.
Once you are registered,
you’ll be able to play bridge in BBO common areas and participate in free
tournaments.
While BBO has many
options for playing bridge for free, you do have to pay an entry fee for events
in which black masterpoints are awarded. For those who wish to earn points, you
will need to create an account with your credit card.
c) Creating an account
Once you are registered,
click on the Account button and follow the steps in the instructions. You are
buying BBO$ with your real dollars, which are charged to your credit card. Some
short BBO tournaments cost as little as $1.25, others are somewhat more. The
special games designed to benefit local clubs are $5 (see #3 below). You can
always add more to your account by clicking the BB$ button. And there is an
option for automatically refilling the account.
2. Important details
about playing on BBO
a) How and where to fill out a convention card
(CC)
On some interfaces, you
click on the Account button in the right margin, then the Convention Cards
button at the top of the smaller window that opens up. On other interfaces, you
click on My BBO, then click on Convention Cards.
You can have as many
convention cards as you like, specifying different partners for different
cards. There are several stock cards or you can create your own CC. The CC
editor allows you to alter any bid. Make sure that you enter your partner’s BBO
name so that this card will automatically load when you sit down to play with
that partner.
b) How to announce NT ranges and how the
self-alerts work
On BBO the alert system
works backwards from what you are used to. On BBO you alert your own bid and
describe the meaning. Only the opponents will see your alert, not your
partner. You can use this to alert bids or announce NT ranges.
First, you must type
your explanation into the alert box, then select your bid. A bubble screen will
automatically pop up on your opponents’ screens containing your explanation.
Similarly, the opponents’ alerts will automatically pop up on your screen. If
you do not understand an opponent’s bid, you can click on the bid in question
to ask for more information. Give them a few moments to type in the
response to the question. It should pop up on your screen in bubble form.
c) How director calls work
The director call button
is in different places on the various interfaces. However, once you have
located it you can call the director by clicking on it. You may be able to add
a brief basic description in the request, such as "I think West fell
asleep". The TD (tournament director) for the event will come to your
table and chat with the table "How can I help"? Generally, you
converse privately with TD and explain your concern. TD will take whatever
action is needed.
d) How to invite your regular partner
To register for a
tournament, click on “Competitive” and select the type of tourney you're
looking for, such as "ACBL Masterpoint Tournaments". From there, you
pick the desired tournament and enter your partner's BBO user name. Both you
and your partner must be logged on to BBO to form your partnership. There is an
option box you can click to "pay for partner" should you choose to do
so.
You can typically
register for a tournament up to two hours before it begins. You can then log
out for a while, but both you and your partner must log back on a few minutes
before the start of the tournament. When the tournament begins, the first board
will appear on your screen.
e) Communication during the game
The chat button near the
bottom of the screen allows you to send comments to your partner, everyone at
your table, or everyone currently logged on to BBO. You cannot chat with your
partner during a hand.
f) Time limits
There is a rigid time
limit for your table to complete all the boards of the current round (typically
3 boards per round). If one board does not get completed before the time runs
out, one of two things will happen. If at least 8 tricks have been played,
robots will complete the hand and their result becomes your result. If less
than 8 tricks have been played, both partnerships will be given average scores.
3. Support Your
Club ACBL Black Point Game
For some BBO
tournaments, entry fees will be split with local clubs, with the majority of
the fees being returned to the local clubs. At present, these are held daily at
10 AM, 5 PM, and 7:30 PM EDT. On some interfaces, you click on ACBL World, then
look for the gray box labeled “Support Your Club ACBL Black Points”. Then pick
the game you desire. There is a hard limit on the number of pairs who can enter
this game and they fill up fast. You and your partner should be among the first
to sign up, two hours before the event begins.
4. Additional
information
Here is a good video
from Youth Worldbridge that shows BBO sign-up steps
and some of useful features on BBO:
http://youth.worldbridge.org/how-to-use-bridgebase-online/
Also, ACBL has a complete
description of the BBO options and how to use them: https://www.acbl.org/bbotutorials/
Credit: The information above comes from Barbara
Hudson and Wayne Stuart in Raleigh, NC, and from Chris Moll of the Triangle
Bridge Club in Durham, NC. Bob Schulman combined and edited their material to
provide this information for new BBO players.