Members and friends of the Palm Coast Duplicate Bridge Club:
We want to start out this week by pointing out a small problem we continue to have with some players not being logged on to BBO at game time. It can be quite difficult to get the last minute offline people rounded up. Many times, if the partner of the offline player is online, we send a private chat urgently requesting that they get in touch with their partner. Most of these private chats go unanswered, so we ask that all players keep an eye on the chat area a few minutes before game time.
We routinely send out messages to all players 10 minutes before game time, then again 5 minutes before game time. The more urgent, private messages usually begin at about 4 minutes before game time. Remember, if you are logged in for a long period of time with no activity, BBO will eventually log you off, so it's important to be at your computer or device beginning about 10 minutes prior to game time. We have had some players unregistered because BOTH partners were not logged in and available to play. By the way, if you are playing in a casual game, you will still show up as unavailable.
This week, St. Augustine is canceling this Thursday and next Sunday OPEN games due to the ACBL Virtual Regional Tournament. All other games are scheduled as usual. All 299er/499er games will be run. See the revised schedule below.
Many have renewed their 2021 memberships online. If you would like to pay your 2021 membership dues (or join the Club for the first time), visit the page on our website, "Pay Your Membership Dues," or CLICK HERE. You will also have the opportunity to add an additional amount as a donation, if you wish. That page explains the easy process. We thank all of our members who have generously donated and renewed their membership for 2021.
A reminder one more time. Some of you have put in a request to renew your membership but have not paid the invoice which was sent to you. Remember, you must complete the transaction by following the simple instructions in the email for your membership dues payment (and donation, if applicable) to be recorded. The system is programmed to send out pleasant reminders. If you are having any difficulty completing the transaction, let us know.
The Invoice emails come from PALM COAST DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB, INC. from the email address, "quickbooks@notification.intuit.com." with the following subject line, "Membership Invoice from the Palm Coast Duplicate Bridge Club."
Here are a few BBO reminders, once again.
Most virtual game players now have convention cards posted, thank you. There are a few who do not, even after receiving gentle reminders during the game. If you don't have a card posted, please do so. It's easy to do. You may be subject to an adjustment if you do not have a card posted and there is CLEAR damaged caused.
If you don't know how to do it, THIS VIDEO is very good and easy to follow. We have many more BBO tutorials on our website (HERE).
Two points about Alters and Explanations.
ALERTS. On BBO, we self alert. Please remember to alert all bids that YOU make. This also includes transfer bids. To alert a bid, click the "Alert" button, type your explanation in the line, then make your usual bid. Your partner will not see this alert, only the opponents.
EXPLANATIONS. To ask about any bid that was made by an opponent, just click the bid once. A box will come up (for the bidder), entitled, Please Explain." For the bidder, when you see the "Please Explain" box pop up, type your explanation and click, OK.
When you are not playing in our two Clubs, please consider an ACBL Support Your Club game on BBO, seven days per week, at 10:00 AM, 5:10 PM, and 7:30 PM. These "SYC" games return up to $4.00 per player back to our club.
PLEASE NOTE THE START TIMES FOR YOUR SECTION ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY
Palm Coast Schedule: NEW WEDNESDAY 2-SECTION OPEN & 499er GAME!
- Monday: 499er Pairs at 1:15 PM (Registration opens at 11:15 AM)
- Wednesday: 499er Pairs at 1:15 PM (Registration opens at 11:15 AM)
- Wednesday: NEW OPEN Pairs at 1:20 PM (Registration opens at 11:20 AM)
- Thursday: 299er Pairs at 1:15 PM (Registration opens at 11:15 AM)
St. Augustine Schedule: NEW TUESDAY 2-SECTION OPEN & 299er GAME!
- Tuesday: NEW 299er Pairs at 12:45 PM (Registration opens at 10:45 AM)
- Tuesday: Open Pairs at 12:50 PM (Registration opens at 10:50 AM)
- Thursday: CANCELED THIS WEEK
- Friday: 299er Pairs at 12:45 PM (Registration opens at 10:45 AM)
- Sunday: CANCELED THIS WEEK
Please come often to play at both clubs.
We look forward to "seeing" you this week.