WEEK OF: May 11 - May 17/26 

Regular Black points

ENTRY FEE SCHEDULE

Beginning January 1, 2026 the table fees that Virtual Clubs (now called e-Clubs) must pay to the ACBL continue to be exhorbitant. Similarly, BBO has significantly increased their fees to the Virtual clubs. 

Our fee schedule for all games is as follows:

Regular club games:   BB$7.00

ALL OTHER Special games (NABC Fundraiser, Silver Lining, etc):   BB$8.00

UPCOMING SPECIAL GAMES

GRASS ROOTS Fund,  May 25-29/26:   200% Black points     

RESULTS OF VIRTUAL GAMES AT LEE'S BRIDGE

RESULTS can be found at...

https://my.acbl.org/club-results/264143

OUR GAME SCHEDULE

Lee’s 0-1400 Tuesday Pairs 12:00 PM

Lee’s Tuesday OPEN Pairs 12:10 PM

Lee’s 0-1400 Wednesday Pairs 12:00 PM

Lee’s Wednesday OPEN Pairs 12:10 PM

Lee’s Wednesday Evening OPEN Pairs 7:00 PM

Lee’s 0-1700 Thursday Pairs 12:00 PM

ACBL RULES FOR VIRTUAL GAMES

As of August 1, 2023, anyone can play in any Virtual Club game by simply registering.  However, if it is a Limited game (e.g., 0-1400), you must be an ACBL member AND your ACBL number needs to be put in your BBO account.

In order to participate, you will need to create an account on BridgeBase Online (BBO), www.bridgebase.com, and purchase BB$ (bridgebase dollars) with which to pay your card fees.  US$1 = 1BB$.  Setting up an account is very straightforward as is purchasing BB$.  If you require any assistance, please contact Richard Ross at richardpbross@gmail.com or phone him 416-816-7115 (after 11:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday).  If you email, be sure to INCLUDE a phone number where you can be reached.

See below for FINDING THE GAMES ON BBO.

FINDING THE GAMES ON BBO

On TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, & THURSDAY  the day games begin at 12:00 pm, and 12:10 pm.  On WEDNESDAY EVENING  the OPEN game begins at 7:00.  However, you can register beginning two hours in advance.  We recommend you register in early.  ENSURE THERE IS MONEY IN YOUR BB$ account.

AFTER you log in to Bridge Base online, www.bridgebase.com, you will be at the Events/Categories page which lists categories down the left-hand side of the page.  Under “FEATURED AREAS” you will see a heading entitled “VIRTUAL CLUBS”.  Click on that heading.  You will see a heading entitled “ACBL – NORTH AMERICA”.   Click on that heading.  You will now see a listing of all of the VIRTUAL CLUB GAMES  which are beginning in the next 2 hours.  Look for LEE'S PAIRS.  You can also SEARCH for our games by our club number: vacb264143.

SOME THINGS TO BE AWARE OF WITH ONLINE BRIDGE:

1)  Do not purchase your BB$ through an App on your Ipad or you will be paying a significant premium for the puchase.  Buy your BB$ directly from the bridgebase.com website by clickin on the blue button that says BB$.

2)  There are no UNDOs.  So be careful before making a bid or playing a card.  AND if you accidentally click on the wrong button, DO NOT COMMENT to your partner.  Extricate yourself the best you can IN SILENCE and move on to the next board.

3)  When playing in an online game, you are required to “self-alert”.  That means that before making a conventional call you push YOUR OWN ALERT button, enter the explanation in the ALERT box and then click on your bid. 

For example, your partner opens 1NT and right-hand opponent passes.  You have a hand with 5 spades and are intending to bid hearts to transfer to spades.  But before clicking on the 2 heart button, FIRST push the ALERT button, enter the description transfer to spades, and  then click on the 2 heart button.  Your partner does NOT see your alert.  But a message is sent to both opponents telling them you have made a conventional bid.  If one of your opponents wants to know further information about your conventional call, they will click on your bid in the auction box in front of them and then click on the EXPLAIN button asking for an explanation.  OR them might send you a PRIVATE message.  Type your explanation NOT the name of the convention being used.   It is quite simple and straightforward.

4)  Be VERY careful when claiming. ALWAYS state your line of play and account for any oustanding trump in that statement.

5)  3-board rounds will be 18 minutes long in the OPEN game (6 min/board) and 21 minutes long (7 min./board) in the LIMITED games. The 2-board rounds will be 12 minutes long in the OPEN and 14 minutes long in the LIMITED.  If you are not finished on time, the remaining board will disappear.  Unplayed boards typically receive an AVERAGE score.

Lee

Go the game you wish to play in.  Log into BBO, click on the name of the game, and a blue Invitation window will open.  Look above the window you will see 4 headings: the heading on the left is REGISTER; the heading on the right is PARTNERSHIP DESK. Click on PARTNERSHIP DESK  then click on the button that says "I will only pay for myself."  You are now registered in the PARTNERSHIP DESK and your BBO username will be displayed there.  Watch for invitations to play OR watch other players who register on the desk and send them an INVITE.

OR

Call Richard Ross @ 416-816-7115.   We will do what we can to find you a partner.