Answers to frequently-asked questions about how to use BridgeBase.com (BBO)

How do I get started? How do I join BBO? How do I set up an account?

I recommend starting with this BBO Guide for New Players . It should give you enough information to get you going.

How do I add money to my BBO account?

When you log into BBO, at the top of your screen, on the far right, is a blue button labelled "BB$".
Press the button, and then press the "Purchase BB$" button.
You will be asked for your BBO username and password, then your credit card info.

How do I add my ACBL number to my BBO account?

It is important to make sure your ACBL number is in your BBO account, for three reasons:
1. So you get masterpoints when you do well
2. For stratification. If you don't include your ACBL number, you will automatically be put into "A" strat.
3. To avoid being blocked. Without your ACBL number, BBO doesn't know you are a Newton Bridge Club member, and may not allow you to play here

To add your number:

How do I register for a Newton Bridge Club online game?

Starting 2 hours before the game starts:
  1. Log onto BBO (go to the BridgeBase.com website in your browser)
  2. Click where it says "Competitive" under "Play or Watch Bridge", on the left half of your screen.
  3. Select (Click on) "ACBL Virtual Clubs"
  4. Find and Select "Newton Bridge Club Pairs"
  5. Enter the BBO username of your partner on the line where it says "Partner"
  6. Click the "Invite" button
  7. Be sure both you and your partner are logged into BBO at game start

WARNINGS:
The game starts promply, and no new entries are accepted once it starts.
If you are one minute late, you cannot play. BE EARLY.
Also, if you register, but you or your partner are not signed into BBO at game start, you are automatically removed from the game.
YOU MUST BE IN BBO AT THE START OF THE GAME.

What do I do if I am BLOCKED from registering?

Contact me, David Metcalf, either by phone, or email (david@newtonbridge.com),
or message me on BBO at VACB251371.
In order to play, you need to be on the "Approved players" list. You need to let me know.

How do I set up or select a convention card for me and my partner?

To create a new convention card (or change an existing one):
On the far right side of your screen, find the tab labelled "Account" and click on it.
Now, on the right half of your screen, find the word "Convention Cards" on a white bar near the top of your screen (just under the word "Account"). Click on "Convention cards".
To create a new convention card: Press the "New ACBL conventuion card" button, and fill out the card to your liking.
To use this card with your partner, just fill in your partner's BBO username on the top of the card in the box labelled "Partner". From now on, whenever you play with that partner, this will automatically be your convention card.

To choose an already-existing convention card (either a stock card or your own):
On the far right side of your screen, find the tab labelled "Account" and click on it.
Now, on the right half of your screen, find the word "Convention Cards" on a white bar near the top of your screen (just under the word "Account"). Click on "Convention cards".
Click on the convention card you would like to choose.
A window will pop up with an option to "Use this card with partner:" and a box to fill in partner's BBO username.
Once you put in partners BBO name, then this card will automatically become your conventions card whenever you play with that partner!

How do I alert or give an explanation for a bid?

The biggest difference between face-to-face bridge and on-line bridge is that in on-line bridge we alert and explain our own bids, rather than having our partner do so. The alerts and explanations are conveyed to both opponents, but remain invisible to our partner, so there is no risk of passing unauthorised information to partner.

To alert a bid:
Click on the ALERT button in the bidding box area, just below where you select your bid.
You should do this BEFORE selecting your actual bid.
You can enter an explanation for the bid on the line next to the ALERT button.
AFTER that, you enter your bid in the usual way.
The alert (and explanation) are conveyed to your opponents, but not to our partner.

To ask for an explanation for an opponent's bid:
Just click on the bid in the auction.
This will open a box on the bidder's screen where he can enter an explanation.

To explain your own bid:
Click on a bid that YOU have made, and a box will appear where you can enter information about that bid, which will be conveyed to your opponents.

NOTE: Since there is no risk of conveying information to partner, the online culture is to give significantly more explanations to your opponents that you might have done face-to face. Even bids you think your opponents ought to understand, and which might not be alertable normally, might be worth a word or two of explanation (e.g. "5+ spades", or "11-15 hcp", or "negative"). Ethical players are forthcoming about their agreements, and don't wait to be asked.

How do I call the director?

When playing, you will see three white bars in a blue box, usually in the upper left corner of your window.
Click on this box and you will see an option to call the director.

How do I see my opponent’s convention card?

When playing, you will see three white bars in a blue box, usually in the upper left corner of your window.
A menu will open which will include options to see either the NS convention card or the EW convention card.