10th November 2025

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW!!!

The 2024-2025 Loyalty Reward Programme has now closed.... and the 2025-2026 Loyalty Reward Programme commences tonight, Monday, 10th November and will run until Thursday, 5th November 2026.                                                      

The 2024-2025 Loyalty Reward Programme saw 12 players reach the top spot of 100+ points and thus earn a total of of 50BB$ each. An additional 20 players reached 75+ points and thus earned 30BB$ each. A further 22 players reached 50+ points, each earning 15BB$... and 98 players earned 25-49pts and qualified for 5BB$ each.

In total, 152  players earned a prize from our 2024-2025 Loyalty Reward Programme. Sadly, several players missed out on reaching a milestone (100, 75, 50, 25) by 2 points or less! 

And special congratulations to Frank Browne who topped the list with his score of 151pts.

Final ranking of the 2024-2025 Loyalty Reward Programme can be viewed here.

Paul J Scannell, 10th November 2025

Galway Virtual Bridge is pleased to announce that it will offer the annual IBU Simultaneous Pairs, a major fund-raiser to support Irish teams competing in international events.

On this page we will present a link to the ECats Bridge website with access to the National Results for each event over the coming four days. Also provided are links to hand records and expert commentary for each event. Simply click the relevant link in the table below.

N.B. Links will not become active until play has been completed.

NOTE: 'Kibitzing' on Galway Virtual Bridge will be switched off for the duration of these events.

Also, a frequent question is why my Club score differs from my National (Overall) score. Click here for explanation. 

Paul J Scannell, 6th November 2025

Please note the following new service from BBO.

Paul J Scannell, 10th August 2025

Click here for link to obituary:

A Celebration of Life will be at 10129 Princess Elizabeth Avenue of Serenity Funeral Service (Edmonton, Canada) on May 17 starting at 2pm. [NOTE: This will be 9pm Irish Time]

For those unable to attend, there will be a livestream of the celebration, please follow the link below.

https://www.mattfosseyent.ca/lee-barton

Paul J Scannell, 16th May 2025

Several announcements below:

1) We sadly announce the recent passing of regular member Lee Barton (Canada) who died last week. Further details in window below. Together with his wife Lucille they played virtually every day in a Galway BBO competition since early 2023!

2) Our 2024-2025 Loyalty Reward Programme has been in operation since 7th November 2024 and will continue up to the end of play on Thursday, 6th November 2025. So, plenty of time to accumulate the 25, 50, 75 or even 100 pts and earn the associated Loyalty Prize of 5BB$, 10BB$, 15BB$$ or 20BB$. Congratulations to Michele Heaslip who becomes the first player to reach 75+ pts in the 2024-2025 Loyalty Programme . See updated list in dedicated window below. Congratulations also to  Paschal Browne, Aidan Cleary, Marian Davenport, Elaine Doyle, Sean Hegarty, Bridie Redahan, Mary Santry, who have all reached/exceeded 50+ pts

3) This year we have adopted a new approach re CBAI Masterpoints and we're delighted to say that we're actually ahead of the posse this time! We have created a system whereby CBAI Masterpoints are allocated to players at end of play each evening! The listing below shows all players who have won any CBAI Masterpoints to-date since 1st September 2024. Listing is displayed alphabetically by BBO username. Note that the current season for CBAI Masterpoints ends on 31st May 2025. Where appropriate details (Full Name, CBAI #) have been provided to us we will forward to the CBAI the list of eligible players together with Masterpoints won during the past season.

4)  Note that this week (12th - 15th May) we will be running the annual Celtic Nations BAI Simultaneous Pairs which is the main fund-raising event for young bridge players! Again, the competition will be organised by our friends at ECatsBridge. You can check the results at close of play each night at their website to see how you fared nationally!

Paul J Scannell, 12th May 2025

Galway Virtual Bridge is pleased to announce that it will offer the annual Celtic Nations Simultaneous Pairs, a major fund-raiser to support Junior bridge.

On this page we will present a link to the ECats Bridge website with access to the National Results for each event over the coming four days. Also provided are links to hand records and expert commentary for each event. Simply click the relevant link in the table below.

N.B. Links will not become active until play has completed.

NOTE: 'Kibitzing' on Galway Virtual Bridge will be switched off for the duration of these events.

Also, a frequent question is why my Club score differs from my National (Overall) score. Click here for explanation. 

Paul J Scannell, 15th May 2025

It is with much sadness that we report the recent passing of Lee Barton (Canada) who played regularly with his devoted wife Lucille on Galway Virtual Bridge / Summer Bridge @ Galway / The Sunday Game @ Galway. They literally played every day... well almost every day, over the past 4 years or so!

Lee had suffered from Parkinson's for several years and could have trouble controlling the mouse, and the keyboard when playing online. Recently he was also diagnosed with dementia which sometimes led to confusion. Fortunately many of our members were aware of Lee's condition and gave appropriate consideration. As Lucille put it... 'In playing bridge on-line, Lee and I feel fortunate to have found the Galway game and have been touched by the kindness and understanding that we have been shown.’   

Bridge was a HUGE part of Lee's life and he so looked forward to his regular game online

We offer our condolences to Lucille and the extended family.

May He Rest In Peace.

Paul J Scannell, 10th May 2025

Meet the Bartons

[Lee & Lucille Barton. January 2005]

You can’t have played on Galway Virtual Bridge,  Summer Bridge @ Galway or, The Sunday Game @ Galway over the past couple of years without encountering The Bartons. They have played virtually seven nights a week! So, who are The Bartons?

Lee & Lucille are Canadians who originally met whilst playing bridge in Edmonton, Alberta in the early 1970s. They got married in 1982 and have been happily together ever since. Lee recently celebrated his 86^th birthday and Lucille is a sprightly 92.

Bridge has been at the centre of their relationship since before they met. Lucille grew up in a bridge playing family but only started to play duplicate bridge in the 1960s. Lee learned bridge whilst at university and then pursued a career in the Oil Industry before turning to training his own harness horses which he raced in Edmonton and Calgary.

Together they travelled on holiday every year to Regional Tournaments in the United States and Canada, including Alaska, Hawaii, Houston, Nashville, Albuquerque and Palm Springs. They also played bridge in Christchurch in New Zealand as well as Brisbane and Sydney in Australia. Unfortunately they never made it to Ireland!

Lee developed a ‘control asking’ bidding system and was one of the earliest proponents of ‘Splinter Bids’. This is the system that he and Lucille now play and she recently wrote a book aptly titled ‘The Barton System – Advanced Control Asking Bridge Bidding System’.

Until Covid up-ended bridge around the world they played in their local club in Edmonton, Alberta three night’s a week.

Then came Covid and like many players around the world, they found themselves playing bridge ‘online’.  As Lucille put it in an earlier email to me… ‘In playing bridge on-line, Lee and I feel fortunate to have found the Galway game and have been touched by the kindness and understanding that we have been shown.’ [Note: Edmonton is approx. six hours behind Galway!. So, what is an evening game for local players on Galway Virtual Bridge is an afternoon game for Lee & Lucille.]

But Lee has been plagued with Parkinson’s for the past fifteen years and can have trouble controlling the mouse, and the keyboard.  In the past few years Lee ‘s health has been compounded with a diagnosis of dementia which can lead to confusion. Some days are better than others. And some are worse than others. On Tuesday 26^th December 2023 I noted that Lee had a difficult time and I expressed my concerns to Lucille … “I wonder whether your last session with us was simply a particularly bad day for Lee and that other days would be better.” Lucille’s reply included the following… “…It turns out that Lee had a heart attack sometime Xmas night but while he was having some difficulty, I just thought his Parkinsons had gotten worse. How he was able to get through the game on Tuesday is a wonder. We had a houseful of grandchildren & great grandchildren, and they finally got me to call 911. He is now in the cardiology unit in hospital where they are also treating him for pneumonia. By yesterday he was almost back to his normal self but very weak. The challenge will be dealing with the heart problem but also being strong enough to get around with his walker so that he can come home.  Bridge is Lee's main interest now and I hope you will see us back playing in your game before too long. Meanwhile you may see me playing with my son, Brian Ellestad, who is playing "The Barton System" with me.

It is with much sadness that I must advise that Lee has not played in a Galway BBO competition since 16^th March 2025.  On the 4^th April Lucille wrote to me… “In the past couple of weeks Lee has taken a real downturn and is quite confused and having hallucinations. It is really sad for me to see him have so much trouble when he was such a fine declarer and defender, but as his neurologist said, dementia always comes after ten years of Parkinson’s diagnosis and Lee was diagnosed about 15 years ago. Brian [her son] and I will still play in Galway as he has time.”

As Lucille notes it is so sad to see someone close to you decline in terms of their mental faculties and physical abilities.

In doing some research for this article I came across the following story as told by Bob Crosby, a legendary Edmonton player and former partner of Lee’s.  “During the 1970’s, Lee Barton and I won the right to represent Canada in the world Olympiad held in New Orleans.  In one of the sessions, we came to a table that was three rows deep with female kibitzers.  Lee and I had our Canada badges on; we exchanged glances with them and discovered that the opponents represented Egypt. There was one guy the women seemed to find particularly attractive.  His name was Omar Sharif.  Lee and I got to a nice spot on the first board, so the mood changed for the opponents.  The next board Omar put his partner in 3NT and Lee lead the ♠Q with ♠Kxx hitting the dummy. Declarer played small; I had ♠92 so I played the 9. The queen held the trick and Lee continued the ♠J; declarer played small again.  Lee now cashed his Ace and two more spades for down one in a hand cold for 660.  The commotion that came later did not seem like acting, so Lee and I made a hasty retreat.  Within earshot of the opponents, Lee said to me (and this is a direct quote): “Bob… Homer the Sheriff is not so tough.”

And today, 16^th April, the news is worse… Lucille writes... ‘I have sad news in that Lee has gotten much worse. There is no possibility of Lee being able to play bridge again.’

I hope that all players on our BBO Galway clubs will join us in sending best wishes to Lee and Lucille and that you will keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Lee & Lucille Barton, December 2022]

Paul J Scannell, 16^th April, 2025

NEW! ... 9th June 2025

1) So...five players have now reached the 75 pt mark in our Loyalty Reward Programme...  Michele Heaslip who has accumulated 83 pts, Frank Browne 81, Lucille Barton (Canada) 79, Angela Dunne 77, and new addition to the group Frank O'Gallachoir, 75.

And June Turner, who is currently on 73 pts, will surely join the 75+ club shortly.

There are now 20 players with 50-73 pts. And three more on 49 pts.

And there ae a further 59 players on 25-49 pts

And there are nine players on 24 pts.

See below for full listing... or click here: Competition - GVB Loyalty Program 2024-2025.

And remember... the GVB Loyalty Reward Programme continues until 6th November 2025.

2) CBAI Masterpoints won since 1st September 2024.

Top 20 winners of CBAI Masterpoints since 1st September:

See below for full listing in BBO username order.

Paul J Scannell, 8th June, 2025

Galway Virtual Bridge is pleased to announce that it will offer the annual CBAI Simultaneous Pairs, a major fund-raiser to support the CBAI (Contract Bridge Association of Ireland).

On this page we will present a link to the ECats Bridge website with access to the National Results for each event over the coming four days. Also provided are links to hand records and expert commentary for each event. Simply click the relevant link in the table below.

N.B. Links will not become active until play has been completed.

NOTE: 'Kibitzing' on Galway Virtual Bridge will be switched off for the duration of these events.

Also, a frequent question is 'why my Club score differs from my National (Overall) score?'. Click here for explanation. 

Paul J Scannell, 3rd March 2025

Okay...it has been on my 'todo list' for some time and finally I got around to it!  So, a number of updates to our website have now been implemented as detailed below!

1) New photo of Galway. This image shows the iconic 'Quay Street', Galway's 'Latin Quarter', which is a bustling hive of activity especially in the summer months. Lots of restaurants catering to all tastes...and bars/pubs galore!

2) Our 2024-2025 Loyalty Reward Programme has been in operation since 7th November 2024 and will continue up to the end of play on Thursday, 6th November 2025. So, plenty of time to accumulate the 25, 50, 75 or even 100 pts and earn the associated Loyalty Prize of 5BB$, 10BB$, 15BB$$ or 20BB$.

3) This year we have adopted a new approach re CBAI Masterpoints and we're delighted to say that we're actually ahead of the posse this time! We have created a system whereby CBAI Masterpoints are allocated to players at end of play each evening! The listing below shows all players who have won any CBAI Masterpoints to-date! since 1st September 2024. Listing is displayed alphabetically by BBO username.

4)  Note that next week (3rd - 6th March) we will be running the annual CBAI Simultaneous Pairs which is the main fund-raising event for CBAI teams competing in International events! Again, the competition will be organised by our friends at ECatsBridge. You can check the results at close of play each night at their website to see how you fared nationally!

Paul J Scannell, 24th February 2025

It is with much sadness that we advise members of the recent passing of Una Walsh, Una was a colossus in the context of bridge, not just in Galway, or the Western Region, but throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. She was a regular supporter of several local clubs in Galway city but it is her role as an administrator of the game for which she will be best remembered. She served as Hon. Secretary of the Western Region from the early 1970s until her appointment as Hon Sec. of the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland in 1991, a position she held until 2002. She also served at national level as President of the CBAI 1978-79 and President of the Irish Bridge Union in 1979-80.

As Hon. Secretary of the Western Region she worked selflessly and tirelessly to encourage clubs to join and she also promoted participation in Regional competitions. 

At the table she was always courteous to partners and opponents alike. 

Una especially looked out for the interest of novices and intermediates. She also lent her efforts to promoting bridge in local schools.

Una was a strong supporter of the campaign that saw the development of the Galway Bridge Centre, it's existence today being evidence of her efforts and that of others that travelled the same journey.

She also took over the editorial duties of the Irish Bridge Journal when her brother Paddy passed away.  Together the published the IBJ for approximately forty years. It was a labour of love for both of them.

In respect of the administration of the game, be it at club, regional, or national level, Una was fearless, and with her a spade was always a spade...and not a club, a diamond, a heart, or even a no-trump! She always spoke her mind and said her piece. Differences with others never lingered.

Truly it can be said...she was one of a kind.

Funeral arrangements can be found here: www.rip.ie 

Paul J Scannell, 2nd October 2024

NEW... as at 29/09/2024 

Congratulations to new centurions Eugene Gath, Joseph O'Keeffe and Michael O'Brien who join Frank Gallachoir, Mary Santry, Phyl Sherrard from last week bringing the total to SIXTEEN, all of whom have played 100+ times in Galway Virtual Bridge competitions...and several more hot on their heels!

And six new entrants at the 25pt level.        

A total of 171 players have now received a minimum reward of at least 5BB$ in our 2023-2024 Loyalty Reward Programme which continues until 7th November 2024.

N.B. There is just over one month to go before the current Loyalty Reward Programme ends.

Paul J Scannell, 29th September 2024

Masterpoint returns for events run under the auspices of Galway Virtual Bridge / Summer Bridge @ Galway / The Sunday Game @ Galway have now been submitted to the CBAI. 

Note that the CBAI recently reached a decision whereby, in future, Masterpoints will only be issued in line with the traditional CBAI calendar, i.e. 1st September to 31st May. 

Note also that Masterpoints are only provided to registered members of the CBAI (or members of the Home Countries, NIBI, SBU, WBU, EBU) who have provided us with a real name and membership number.

Paul J Scannell, 2nd August 2024

NEW... as at 10/07/2024 

FIFTEEN payees this week, including seven players who achieve the 25 pt mark and receive a first payment. 

Congratulations to our latest centurion... James Ward who has reached the 100+pt mark for the third year in a row!.

A total of 138 players have now received a minimum reward of at least 5BB$ in our 2023-2024 Loyalty Reward Programme which continues until 7th November 2024.

Paul J Scannell, 10th July 2024

Click the following link to follow the results of the 56th European Championships currently taking place in Denmark (24th June - 4th July).

56th European Team Championships

We especially send our best wishes to our two Galway gals, Joan Kenny and Louise Mitchell, who are playing on the Irish Ladies team.

Paul J Scannell, 25th June, 2024

It is with much sadness that we advise members of the passing of John Comyn, legendary bridge correspondent of The Sunday Independent for more than 50 years.

John was an enthusiastic and very effective promoter of the game both in terms of attendance at Congresses around the country and through his bridge column with the Sunday Independent. John was also instrumental in establishing the Rothmans Kings, a team of top players who travelled the country playing challenges matches against local selections.  And the Rothman Kings had a very high success rate!

John of course was primarily a sports journalist with a big interest in horse racing. Eventually he became head of sport for Independent. Newspapers.

John was a regular presence in competitions run by Galway Virtual Bridge / Summer Bridge @ Galway / The Sunday Game @ Galway until the end of 2023 when ill-health prevented him from further participation.

 Funeral details: Death Notice of John Comyn (Rathfarnham, Dublin) | rip.ie

Our sympathies to his wife Anne and the extended Comyn family.

Paul J Scannell, 5th June 2024

NEW... as at 04/06/2024 

Okay...a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Lee Barton who becomes the first player to reach the 100 pt mark in our current Loyalty Reward Programme and has thereby accumulated a total prize of 50BB$!  And his wife Lucille is about to join him on the 100 mark!  

And Joe Walsh and Frank Browne are in the nineties!  And several others are in the eighties!

The issue that had bedevilled us last week seems to have been resolved and the Loyalty Reward Programme listing/ranking seems to be accurate once again! 

Paul J Scannell, 4th June 2024

Coming this week...CBAI SIMULTANEOUS PAIRS...

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday ... 4th - 7th March, Galway Virtual Bridge will be running the annual CBAI SIMULTANEOUS PAIRS, the major revenue source for funding Irish teams in international bridge competitions.

Click the link below to access the Home Page on ECatsBridge for the Celtic Nations Simultaneous Pairs to access Overall Results, Frequencies, Commentary on hands.

ECatsBridge CBAI Simultaneous Pairs Home Page

Below are Quick Links to Overall National Results and Expert Commentary. NOTE: Links will only become active after each session is completed.

Paul J Scannell, 4th March 2024

Galway Virtual Bridge is pleased to announce that it will offer the annual IBU Simultaneous Pairs, a major fund-raiser to support Irish teams competing in international events.

On this page we will present a link to the ECats Bridge website with access to the National Results for each event over the coming four days. Also provided are links to hand records and expert commentary for each event. Simply click the relevant link in the table below.

N.B. Links will not become active until play has completed.

NOTE: 'Kibitzing' on Galway Virtual Bridge will be switched off for the duration of these events.

Also, a frequent question is why my Club score differs from my National (Overall) score. Click here for explanation. 

Paul J Scannell, 6th November 2023

Galway Virtual Bridge is pleased to announce that it will offer the annual Celtic Nations Simultaneous Pairs, a major fund-raiser to support Junior teams competing in international events.

On this page we will present a link to the ECats Bridge website with access to the National Results for each event over the coming four days. Also provided are links to hand records and expert commentary for each event. Simply click the relevant link in the table below.

N.B. Links will not become active until play has completed.

NOTE: 'Kibitzing' on Galway Virtual Bridge will be switched off for the duration of these events.

Also, a frequent question is why my Club score differs from my National (Overall) score. Click here for explanation. 

Paul J Scannell, 8th December 2023

Galway Virtual Bridge is pleased to announce that it will offer the annual IBU Simultaneous Pairs, a major fund-raiser to support Irish teams competing in international events.

Events will be run on Galway Virtual Bridge on Monday (6th Nov), Tuesday (7th Nov), Wednesday (8th Nov), and Thursday (9th Nov), in conjunction with other online services, as well as the many clubs that will be offering a face to face option.

A session will also be offered on Friday (10th Nov) courtesy of Summer Bridge @ Galway

Note:

1) For these events 'Kibitzing' will NOT be available for the sessions offered by Galway Virtual Bridge.

2) Results will be uploaded to the ECats bridge website for inclusion in the overall national results. The ECats website will also provide detailed results where players can compare their performance in the local club competition with their performance in the national event.

     Note: Your percentage score in the club competition may differ from your score in the national event.  For some it may increase whereas for other it may decrease! Click this link for explanation. 

3) Expert commentary, arranged by IBU, will be provided for each session via a PDF uploaded to the Galway Virtual Bridge website. 

Paul J Scannell, 6th November 2023

Coming next week...CBAI SIMULTANEOUS PAIRS...

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday ... 6th - 9th February, Galway Virtual Bridge will be running the annual CBAI SIMULTANEOUS PAIRS, the major revenue source for funding Irish teams in international bridge competitions.

Click the link below to access the Home Page on ECatsBridge for the Celtic Nations Simultaneous Pairs to access Overall Results, Frequencies, Commentary on hands.

ECatsBridge CBAI Simultaneous Pairs Home Page

Below are Quick Links to Overall Results and Commentary:

Paul J Scannell, 9th February 2023

John penned his first article for the Sunday Independent on Sunday, December 12th, 1971. That amounts to 2670 articles!  John also contributed bridge articles to the Irish Independent, including session results for then current Irish Trials!

John wrote 'Doubled Up - Laughing at the game of Bridge' in 2010, which is a personal reflection of his bridge adventures over the 60 years that he had been playing bridge up to that time. An entertaining read which is filled with anecdotes of many of the Irish players that were prominent in the game during those years, many of whom are sadly no longer with us. And John was the inspiration behind the legendary Rothmans Kings, a team of players that also included Pat Walshe, Micheal O'Briain, and Donal Garvey, later joined by others. John had asserted that all good bridge players came from Dublin which prompted a T/4 challenge from Paddy Kiely (Cork). After the match was played, the Kings winning, additional challenges were issued from teams all around the country. John reckons that the Rothmans Kings played 70+ matches and lost only two!  Some record! 

John sat opposite various partners over his bridge playing career and all the time promoted the game in the pages of Ireland's foremost Sunday newspaper.

John, with his wife Anne in Warsaw in 2006 at the European Team Championships, where John was a member of the Ireland Seniors Team.

John has been a huge supporter of Galway Virtual Bridge since it first launched on November 8th 2021.

Enjoy your retirement, John. It has been well earned...and we look forward to your continued presence on Galway Virtual Bridge.

Paul J Scannell, 5th February, 2023

We started out one year ago on Monday, November 8th 2021...

We would like to say a Big Thank You to all who have supported us over the past year.

To celebrate the occasion we are offering a Free Lottery Draw which will occur after each of the eight rounds of the games taking place NEXT week, i.e. Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th, and Thursday 17th.

The winner of each draw will be the player seated at the table and position as indicated by the draw, e.g. Table 3, South; Table 15, East, etc.

We extend our sincere thanks to the team at CBAI Head Office who administered all of the draws. 

Rules:

1) No player can win more than one prize on any single night.

2) Where the initially designated winner is deemed ineligible (previous winner or a Robot) then the next player, using the cycle N, E, S, W, becomes the winner. If no winner at the initially designated table the winner will be selected from the next higher numbered table. 

3) Each winner's BBO account will be credited with 10BB$. 

Thank you for supporting Galway Virtual Bridge in our inaugural year.

Paul, Miriam, Robert - 8th November 2022

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Sean Glynn (Loughrea) who died om Monday morning.

Click here for tribute by Paul Scannell.

Funeral arrangements can be viewed on this RIP.ie link:   Click here for funeral arrangements

Note also that there will be a live streaming for those unable to attend:  Click here for live streaming of funeral service

Paul J Scannell, 17th October, 2022

RE ROBOTS IN A HUMAN/ROBOT PARTNERSHIP - IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

Galway Virtual Bridge recognises the choice of those players, who, for whatever reason, opt to play with a Robot. While appreciating the clear benefit that this offers to those who choose to play with a Robot we are also aware of the fact that some players have expressed concern about playing against Robots.

We are now about to implement a change to the way in which Robots are used in these Human/Robot partnerships. Specifically, we will implement a change to our competitions which will require the human partner to play all hands that are initially contracted by the Robot. In essence this means that where a Robot is initially deemed to be declarer the human will TEMPORARILY switch place with the Robot partner and will then play the hand. Upon completion of the hand the human and Robot will be re-seated in their original positions for the start of the next hand.

This will happen for each and every hand where a Robot is initially deemed to be the declarer upon conclusion of the auction.

We hope to implement this change on Monday, 22nd August 2022.

Given that this will be a major change from current practice we envisage that some players, especially the Robot's human partner, may initially be confused and not realise that they are declarer and not dummy! Opponents should be alert to this situation and should take the following actions if necessary:

a) Prompt the human via chat to Table (or private message) and remind them that they, and not the Robot, are declarer for this hand. 

b) If the above referenced prompt does not produce the desired response then please contact the TD.

A Human playing with a Robot should be aware that they will automatically declare ALL hands that his/her side contract.

Also, the Human should be aware that their original hand becomes dummy. Declarer may need to re-appraise his/her line of play given the re-orientation that takes place when he/she swaps places with the Robot for the duration of the play, especially if the opponents have.bid during the auction.  

Note:

1) At the start of play the Declarer's screen will now show the Robot's hand at bottom of their display and dummy will be positioned at top of their screen. This means that the Human/Robot hands have been switched and declarer should thus be aware that the defenders hands have also been similarly re-orientated and declarer should accordingly mentally switch any bidding by the opponents.

2) The change will not impact the defenders whose screens should continue to display the original layout with respect to the orientation of the four hands as at the start of the auction.

3) Upon conclusion of the hand the Human Player will be re-seated in the position that they occupied at the start of the round.  

Please note the following screen captures, recorded by Robert Delargy, which illustrate the Human's (Robert) screen during the auction and also at the start of play.

The image above shows Robert in the West seat and his Robot partner has opened 1NT.  Robert made a transfer bid of 2♥  and the Robot bid 2♠  which becomes the final contract.

Robert now assumes the role of declarer and his screen is now reflected by the image above, Note that Robert, as declarer, is now holding the Robot's hand and the defender on declarer's left leads ♥ A. Note also that this defender was originally on Robert's right DURING THE BIDDING, as shown in the first image.

NOTE: The defenders screens will remain the same throughout bidding and play.

Paul J Scannell, 17th August 2022