The McLoughlin Cup, a Dublin North Region (DNR) competition for Intermediate B's & Novices, will take place on Saturday 5th December 2020, via BBO. Click here for details.

We are aware of some comment regarding the use of robots in our online games. Some folk do not enjoy the experience, finding the robots either too quick, or their system too confusing, or maybe just the fact that they seem too good.          

(Click here, for information on the robot's system and how they “think”.)

BBO does not work well when there is an odd number of pairs, i.e. sit-outs. At the beginning of any event the Tournament Director must fill any sit-out seats in order for the tournament to progress satisfactorily. The TD can either :-

1. Invite two real people from the worldwide BBO subs list.
   • This is hit and miss and can result in a random Novice or a National Master being brought into the mix. It can also take time to send out the invites and receive back responses. A lot of subs sometimes leave mid-comp, which can be a nuisance for the TD.
2. Invite two real people known to the TD, members or otherwise.
   • This is a good option, but if the people aren’t already online and available, they won’t get an invite.
3. Insert two Robots.
   • This is by far the quickest and simplest solution.
4. A combination of the above.

In the absence of a dedicated float, it is at the discretion of the TD to decide which option they choose, depending on the circumstances prevailing on the night.

During a game, the TD can also insert a robot should any player go offline, for whatever reason. This keeps the tournament moving along and allows for the absentee player to re-join the event at a later stage, by simply ditching the robot substitute.

Members who do not have a partner for any particular game can enter a competition with a robot partner. This facility allows for folk to have a game of Bridge when ordinarily they could not. We would encourage members however, to try and find a human partner first, in keeping with the spirit of the game. We want as many members as possible to get a game, particularly during these restrictive times.

With no prizes at stake in all our online events, players with robot partners have been left positioned exactly as they finish, when the BBO results are uploaded to the MRBC website. For our "Major" competitions however, only a human partnership will be hailed as the winner, with robotic combinations having to step aside. We are looking at ways to strip out robot results automatically, whilst necessarily leaving other connected statistics intact, but it may not be possible.

Also, we have just been advised by the CBAI, that affiliated members should not receive Masterpoints if partnered by a Robot, for the majority of boards, i.e. ~75%, of any competition. So, we will be removing any robotically earned MP’s from our website records, with effect from 1^st Sep 2020.

Finally, please remember, these games are primarily for enjoyment, there are no prizes. It’s about playing and mixing with your fellow members, with winning a secondary bonus.

Keep Safe.

MRBC Council

As we progress through this “virtual” bridge season, the spectre of SLOW PLAY has risen its head. To ensure the enjoyment of the whole field, it is expected that everyone plays at a reasonable pace. It is unfortunate, but the slower players, who make up a very small minority it must be said, are able to dictate the pace of play of the whole tournament.

We currently allow 7 mins per board in MRBC BBO competitions, which is allocated as 14 mins in 2 boards-per-round events, and 21 mins in 3 boards-per-round events. This is universally acknowledged as more than ample time to bid and play a board, yet we are seeing many boards going unfinished, as the clock runs out. This may be frustrating for the slow players, but is even more so for their opponents, who are forced to play at a slower than usual pace.

It is acknowledged that some boards may be trickier than others, particularly the bidding, but we would encourage members to try and play a little quicker overall.

One additional way of speeding up the pace of play is to utilise the BBO “Claim” facility, whereby you can either claim or concede those remaining tricks which are guaranteed. Playing out the final few tricks, card by card, when they are all winners anyway, is simply using up time that might be better utilised on your next board. Claiming, and accepting or rejecting a claim, is a normal feature of the BBO game. (Click here for a video which shows how this facility works.)

Also, players might not be aware, but just because the clock on the screen might say 3 or 4 minutes to go, it does not mean you slow down and use up that time. If all the tables finish, and there are minutes remaining, the system will reset the clock and move everyone on to the next round.

Our online TD’s will be monitoring pace of play and may, by private BBO chat, request certain players, who they feel are falling behind, to pick up their pace, so please don’t feel slighted. We are simply trying to improve the playing experience for everyone.

Thank You