It's difficult to believe that it is over a year since we last played f2f bridge and almost a year since we started playing club duplicate bridge on BBO. For many members the BBO duplicate sessions have been a source of pleasure and a way of keeping in touch, albeit virtually with fellow club members. As successful as it has been it is not the same as playing face to face and being able to speak with your partner and opponents. It is still too soon to set a date for a return to f2f bridge but the committees of YHBC and CBC would like to offer members the opportunity to play social bridge on RealBridge (RB), a platform that is becoming increasingly popular with players, clubs and organisers of events because of its excellent audio visual features. Using RB's own words it takes online bridge to the next level, with built-in video and sound, bringing the true face-to-face experience online. BBO is developing a similar system and we will monitor progress carefully. As a first step towards offering social bridge we need to gauge interest within the clubs and then if we receive positive feedback identify how we can manage our capacity to provide the extra bridge sessions in addition to our existing competitive BBO duplicate sessions.

Social bridge on RB allows you to play online within your own social circle at one table. During the session you will be able to chat, pause between boards, get a coffee and cake or something stronger and enjoy bridge in a relaxed environment.

John Fairhurst, a member of CBC and chairman of Basingstoke Bridge Club, runs regular social bridge afternoon sessions and he has generously invited our members and guests to join the scheduled sessions on Saturday 17/04 and Sunday 18/04. There will be no cost to you as YHBC and CBC will pay the discounted rate John has generously offered. We would be very grateful if as many of you as possible take advantage of this offer in order for us to get feedback and also for you to enjoy some social bridge on what may be a new platform for many of us. You should book via us and not Basingstoke by registering in the box below.. Bookings will be for a table of four although we will only communicate with the person whose name appears first on the list i.e. the 'lead'. If you have not got a table of four our find a partner function may be of help. For administrative purposes we are asking that bookings be made by Thursday 15/04 and a link to the session will be sent to the lead name before the start of the session. It will be the lead’s responsibility to forward the link to other players at the table. To enjoy the full benefit of RB you will need a mic and webcam.

After the sessions we would appreciate your feedback to help us make plans.

What do you need to do?

• Book a table at one or both of the free sessions by registering in the box below.  Deadline Thursday 15/04 for the afternoon sessions on Saturday 17/04 and Sunday 18/04. Members and guests are welcome. You will be able to play up to 32 boards during the session between 13.30-18.00.
• Test your device before a session, you can do this on RB's camera and microphone  test page.
• Read the RB player guide. Please don't worry if this seems complicated as you will find it easy to sort things out once you are on the site and you will be in good company enjoying some fun bridge.   Help will be available should you need it.    https://realbridge.online/player-guide.html
• Explore RB's website if you are unfamiliar with RB    https://realbridge.online/
• Read what Basingstoke Bridge Club have on their website about RB       https://www.bridgewebs.com/basingstoke/
• We recommend you enable "double-click" for bidding and play within the settings cog

Close to the event start, the RB link will be sent to the lead of each table.  This link (to be shared via the lead to the other 3 players) will be "live" between 13:30 and 18:00 on the day. 

You can log in and out as much as you like (so play 8 boards, have a break and come back etc) up to the 32 board limit.

You can swap pairs (2 go to the lobby and come back in different seats)

Check results the next day by clicking the same link (these will not be match-pointed but you will be able to see what everyone did on the board)