Swiss Games!

BBO and the ACBL have managed to enable Swiss games. We’ve been eagerly awaiting this since it was first rumored as imminent back in May. To celebrate we’re launching two new Swiss games.

• Open Swiss Sundays at 1 pm (Heather directing)

• 1500 limited Swiss Mondays at 9:30 am (Chris directing)

Here’s a link to instructions for how to register for a Swiss team event on BBO. Until you get used to the mechanics of registering for Swiss events we recommend showing up at least 15 minutes in advance in order to make sure that any glitches can be worked out in time for an orderly start.

The events will still be about 2 hours, with 3 rounds of 6 boards or 4 rounds of 5 boards depending upon the number of teams entered in each event.

Double Points and Raise Money for Teaching Bridge

All next week (February 22-28) you can earn double points in our club games and raise money for teaching bridge at the same time as supporting your friendly neighborhood bridge club. 

The cost is for these games is $7, and $1 from each of the entry fees will go to the ACBL Education Fund charity.  Come out and play in our games and the Ace's and enjoy the opportunity to win extra points at the same time as supporting spreading your favorite hobby to the next generation of players. 

Online Club Games!

Thank you all for you great support, attending our online virtual club games through the BBO website (Click here for the calendar of games). Some features of these games:

   - You get to play against your friends from the club. Access to the games will be restricted to people who have played at the PBC, Ace, MAC, or Town Club (but we can make exceptions for an out-of-town friend or relative, if you let us know in advance.)

   - You get to earn masterpoints. The ACBL has worked with BBO to make these virtual club games count for at least as many masterpoints as normal club games. If you are not yet an ACBL member, click here to join.

   - You get support the Portland Bridge Club. Each game will last two hours and cost $6.00, the majority of which will go to the club. The rest goes to BBO and the ACBL.

   - There are even limited games available (ACBL membership required), similar to our normal club schedule.

Click here for more details!

The ACBL has made some changes to the alert process effective January 1, 2021. Some changes that are likely to affect our players are as follows:

• If you are transferring to a suit, say the suit shown instead of “transfer”
• Announce the minimum length shown when opening a minor of less than 3 cards in length
• Support doubles are no longer alertable
• Natural jump shifts of any strength are no longer alertable
• Prealert if you play an unusual system (i.e. Strong club, Canape)

Here’s a link to an article describing the changes.
Note: Like all changes people will take some time to adapt to the new set of procedures. Please be gentle with yourselves and your opponents as people get used to the changes.

Jim Kahan has helpfully created a document outlining the difference between alerting online and alerting in face to face bridge.

Please check it out.

BBO Alerts.pdf.

Welcome to the Portland Bridge Club. We are a vibrant and welcoming community, devoted to providing a pleasant and supportive environment in which to enjoy the game of bridge. If you are interested in playing or learning, please contact us and we will provide you with information to help get you started.

If you'd like to contact the club, please click here to submit a comment!