Getting started

a) Either go to Bridgebase.com or use Google to find the programme.

b) Register yourself with a username and password (up to ten characters) - this is free. Just complete the mandatory fields.

You may now enter the site to play - or host a table - by clicking on the Login/Register button and then clicking on the Login bar on the next screen.

Hosting a session

If you are hosting a session you need to start a table as follows:

a) Click on 'Casual' under PLAY OR WATCH BRIDGE and go to the section that says 'FIND YOUR OWN GAME'.

b) Click on 'Start a table'.

c) You next see a box headed 'Privacy Options' - when each white circle is slid to the right that option is on. The only options to switch on - i.e. set in the far right position - are 'Permission required to play' and 'Invisible' so nobody else can see your table, otherwise as soon as you start the table lots of other people immediately try to join it! 

d) The next step is to fill in the players under 'Reserve seats' using their user names. Click on 'North' and a box will come up where you can fill in the user name of a player, then click 'OK'. The name will go onto the table in a red box saying 'reserved'. Repeat this process for East, South and West, ensuring the correct pairings. Your own name will appear on the table in a blue/grey box. The host has a crown logo alongside their name.

e) As soon as everybody is at the table the system will automatically deal a hand. North is dealer and a bidding screen will show for them.

Joining an informal 'Casual' session

If you are simply joining a table set up by someone else:

a) Log in to BBO by clicking on the Login/Register button and then clicking on the Login bar on the next screen.

b) Click on 'Casual'

c) Click on 'Relaxed Bridge Club'

At this point, players should receive an invitation to join the table automatically

d) Click on 'Yes' - your name should appear in a blue/grey box

e) As soon as everybody is at the table, the system will deal a hand to all players.

Joining a 'Tournament' session

The procedure for joining a Tournament session differs from that for a Casual session:

a) Log on to BBO by clicking on the Login/Register button and then clicking on the Login bar on the next screen.

b) Click 'Competitive' under 'Play or Watch Bridge'

c) Click 'All Tournaments'

d) In the search box (above where it says 'Entries') type 'Fyfield'

e) Click on the event in the list

f) Enter the BBO username of your partner

g) Click 'invite'. Your partner will also need to be logged on to BBO in order for them to register for the event.

h) When all players have registered the Director will start the session. 

General play

a) When you start to play, the player who is due to play will be highlighted in yellow.

b) After each trick the cards disappear only when the next card is led.

c) Another hand will appear immediately after the end of the game. It is not possible to bid or play out of turn.

d) Play continues for a number of hands agreed at the outset, or by means of the in-play chat message facility at the bottom of the screen. A comfort break may be scheduled during the session.

Alerts

The player making the bid does the alerting, not their partner. You do this by bidding the number of the bid first (e.g.press 1) then press 'alert' then type in the message then bid the suit. The other side will see the message not your partner so you have not given any information to your partner e.g. for a weak 1NT - press 1, press 'alert', type 12-14 in the message line (not in the chat box at the bottom of the screen), then press 'NT'.

Screen layout

At the top of the screen there is a square with the hand number in the middle and, around the edge, the colour is either red (vulnerable) or white (non-vulnerable).

One edge will have a 'D' in it indicating that they are the dealer.