Here are a few tips when playing Tournaments on BBO

1. Alerting: In BBO you “Self" Alert. Click on alert in the bidding box, type your explanation in the box provided and then make your bid. This ensures that the opponents receive the information they need about your agreements, and your partner will not see it. For a brief tutorial, click on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNl88Dme7QQ 

2. To Call the Tournament Director: There is a blue box with 3 white lines at the top of your table screen. You will find certain table options there, one of which is “Calling the TD”. For a brief tutorial, click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmW8PF7PVxs

Alternatively, you can chat to your host, CBAI125592, via the chat option.

3. Time Clock: Most tournaments have a set number of minutes per round, usually 8 mins per board. If you run out of time, the system, or the TD will adjust scores and/or apply averages. It’s a good idea to send the TD a message, simply stating “Board #”, if this happens to you. 8 mins a board should be plenty of time however, so every effort should be made to keep up the pace of play.

4. Claiming/Conceding: When you know you have all, or a certain number, of the remaining tricks, use the Claim tab, rather than play out the rest of the cards. Click here for brief tutorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1fTl8hQn5c

Equally, if you know you are about to lose a certain number of tricks you can concede those tricks, by using the same procedure. This will give you more time for your next board, and keeps the pace of the Tournament moving along.

5. No Partner: If you have no partner, there are a few methods you can utilise.

a) You can still use the Whatsapp group Swords Bridge Club

b) You can put your name on the BBO "Partnerships Desk", for a specific event.

1) Log on.

2) Find the event you wish to play in, under "Competitive", then "All Tournaments".

3) Click on the event, then click on "Partnerships Desk".

4) Add your name.

If another singleton player comes along, they can invite you. You can also invite anyone already on the Partnerships Desk.

c) You can become a Substitute.

1) Log on to BBO

2) Select "Competitive"

3) Select "All Tournaments"

4) Click on "Substitutes" in the bottom left hand corner

You can now be called upon by any Tournament Director, across the world, to substitute in any event, free of charge

6. Non-Swords Bridge Club Substitutes

Even in our restricted play events, you may sometimes encounter non-members. This can occur because:

a) There were an odd number of pairs at the onset, thus creating a sitout. BBO does not recognise sitouts, so the TD must find another pair.

b) Sometimes a player’s internet may fail. If the fail persists, again the TD must bring in a replacement.

c) The TD can also bring in Robots, as substitutes.

7. BBO Masterpoints: In Pay-per-Play Tournaments, BBO awards Masterpoints. These are internal BBO Masterpoints and should not to be confused with CBAI Masterpoints.