To request a partner from the AIDBC membership in the future, please try the Find a Partner feature on this website instead of contacting the club manager. This module will put you on a list for others to discover and/or automatically send "a need a partner" email on your behalf to all or parts of the membership as you instruct. Simple step-by-step instructions for using Find a Partner can be found in the following document.

Find a Partner via Bridgewebs.pdf

If you need hands-on assistance using this feature don't hesitate to email webmaster Steve Kimmel at jskamelia@gmail.com

Below is an outline of how to play in AIDBC club games online. (Ben has also prepared a screenshot set of instructions here):  

The Amelia Island Duplicate Bridge Club Virtual Session.pdf

• Our games are open to all AIDBC members and anyone who has played at the club in the past 12 months and their guests. Email Ben in advance to add a new guest to the allowed list.
• You must have a partner to register for a game.
• 21 boards @ 6 min per board  - about 2+ hours.
• Director monitored. ACBL black points for each game.
• The game fee is $5, a portion of which goes to AIDBC.

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• You can play on the BBO website via either a PC, Mac, or a portable device as long as you have a good internet connection. The BBO website is https://www.bridgebase.com/. There is also a BBO app for phones and iPads.
• Prior to a game each player must set up a BBO account and create a BBO username and password. 
• Each player must also set up a BB$ account on BBO and add funds to cover entry fees via either a credit card or PayPal. Find the BB$ tab on the BBO home page. You can pay individually or one partner can pay for both players when signing up for a game.
• Pairs may sign into the game up to two hours prior . Please register no later than 10 min prior to game time. 
• Find the AIDBC games in the list that appears under the Virtual Clubs/ACBL Virtual Clubs tabs on the BBO website. Look for Pairs Amelia Island or use the search box at the right/top of the list and enter "Amelia" to search.
• Click on the AIDBC game, enter your partner's user name, and then invite. Both partners must be online simultaneously to register your pair. The game will appear automatically in your web browser once it begins. 

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• Please learn how to play on BBO prior to your first game. You can practice as an individual against robots or you and your partner can enter a free pairs game on the "Casual" tab on the BBO home page. You must play at a reasonable pace.  Boards in progress when time expires are not completed and then later scored by the director.

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• There are a few BBO features you should probably learn to use.
  • Alerts/Explains: On BBO the bidder makes the required alert when making a bid, not the partner receiving the bid as would happen in normal in-person play (only your opponents see the alert). Type the alert information into the "Explain" box before clicking on the bid or add it afterwards if the opponents ask. 
  • Undos:  On BBO there are no "undos". If you accidentally make an incorrect bid or play, this action cannot be undone and play continues. There are two settings that can help prevent errors. Go to Account/Settings and turn on "Confirm bids" and "confirm cards". This requires you to click twice to bid or play and may catch an error. 
  • Convention Cards: You can prepare a convention card for you and you partner. Go to Account/Convention Cards. Take a stock card, change it as you like, add your partner's user name in the "partner" box, and save it with a unique identifying name in the "Name" box. Whenever you two play as partners the card will automatically be available to opponents. If you do not prepare a card it is assumed you are playing SAYC.
  • Chat: At the bottom of the BBO screen you can chat during play with the table or only your opponents to ask questions, etc. It's good form to announce you names with your basic system and signals once at the beginning of each round (e.g.  "John & Sue; Standard American, 15-17 NT; odd/even discards"). 
  • Director Calls: These are minimal because it's impossible to play out of turn or make an insufficient bid in BBO (hooray!). However, you can still summon the director for other possible infractions by clicking on the "three-bar" menu at the top left on the game screen.  

• Have fun.