Since we cannot see or talk to our partner, opponents or the Director, MESSAGING, i.e. using the chatbox at the very bottom of the screen, is a key feature of online bridge.
IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE CHAT BOX PLEASE REALIGN YOUR SCREEN ON YOUR COMPUTER - IT IS THERE!

Chat is often abused and misused. Like Red Riding Hood's porridge it needs to be 'just right': neither too much, nor too little; neither too hot (over zealous), nor too cold (distant).

A word of warning. As you get more used to BBO/HCOB, you may be running a number of message lines (to your table, to a private friend, the Director). It is VERY EASY to forget to ensure that the chat is going to the person or persons you want. I have many times intended to send my partner or a BBO friend a message ..and have inadvertently messaged the whole HCOB community. Do check that you have chosen the correct addressee(s) before pressing chat or return.

How to "chat"

The blue button at the bottom left of the screen is key. When you get into the game, click that button and you will see some options. Click the option you want:

• '->Table' - This enables you to talk to your table. We use it to introduce ourselves and conventions briefly at the start. E.g. "Hello, Bill & Ben here. We play basic ACOL."
• 'Private' - If you have called the Director (see Call the Director below for how to do that), you will see his/her acknowldgement message in the chatbox. (How you reply is also below.)
• '->Lobby' - Don't use this. Most people turn off lobby chat. So, if you are busily chatting to the lobby, nobody is listening.

Using the "Table" button

This is the good default setting when we play because, as said above, it enables you and the rest of the table to chat, as a four privately.

Using the table setting, most people are silent during the play except for TYP (thank you partner) when dummy appears; and GLP (good luck partner). When you have played the last board of the round, do message/chat to your table while waiting for the next round. Not of course about the detail of the hands played - mild congratulations, when due are always welcome. Do bear in mind though that it might have been a defensive error that allowed the contract to be made so that same congratulation might be a criticism of your opps.

Before the next duplicate movement takes place, (you know this by watching the "clock"), most people thank opponents, just as they do face-to-face.

Glossary:

• wpp => well played partner,
• vwpp => very well played partner,
• wpo => well played opponent(s),
• vwpo => very well played opponent(s),
• opps => opponents,
• typ => thank you partner,
• tyo => thank you opponents,
• glp => good luck partner,
• ty => thank you,
• brb => be right back,
• hlp => hard luck partner,
• lol => lots of laughs/laugh out loud, ie funny,
• rofl => rolling on floor laughing, ie very funny