Online Club Games (Updated)

Note:  Games have changed since this announcement.  Check Online Club Games for current information.

Palo Alto Bridge Center (PABC) Online Play with Bridgebase.com (BBO)

We are happy to announce that starting Monday, April 6, Unit 503 members will be able to play online for Master Points (MPs) in games run by our own directors. These games will have a schedule similar to the current games played at the Palo Alto Bridge Center. Further details will be provided soon.

Game Information starting Monday, April 6

In the meantime, you can prepare by becoming familiar with bridgebase playing in the current games.

Current Open Games

The directors who have regular games at the PABC are now running their regular weekly bridge games online using BBO.  There is no cost and no MPs awarded.   This is a great way to keep in touch with friends and bridge while we all shelter in place.

The current game schedule is:

• Sunday: IMP pairs – 12 boards at 11:00 am and 12 boards at 1:00 pm
• Monday:  12 boards at 11:30 am and 12 boards at 1:15 pm
• Tuesday: 12 boards at 12:00 noon and 12 boards at 1:45 pm
• Wednesday:  12 boards at 11:00 am, 12 boards at 12:45 pm, and 24 boards at 7:00 pm
• Thursday: 12 boards at 11:30 am and 12 boards at 1:15 pm
• Friday: 12 boards at 10:30 am, 12 boards at 12:15 pm, and 18 boards at 7:00 pm
• Saturday: 12 boards at 11:00 am and 12 boards at 1:00 pm

All sessions are 12 boards except Wednesday evening is 24 and Friday evening is 18.
All sessions are Matchpoints except Sunday is IMP Pairs.

Here are the instructions you need to join and play in these games which will not change when games become paid offering MPs.

Navigate to  bridgebase.com, then:

•  Click the red “Login/Register” button in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
• If you have a BBO account, log in. If not, register for a free account.
• Add some BB$ to your account. We suggest $25.00 to start. After logging in, find the BB$ tab on the top right of the site. Use the link on the web page BB$ (not the BBO app which has a huge surcharge) and pay with a credit card. Using this step, there is no third party involved taking a service charge from BBO. We want to support BBO operations and ours, not a third party.
• Return to the BBO home page. From the home page you can navigate to our club games by clicking:

1. Competitive
2. ACBL Virtual Clubs
3. Then find the game that begins with Pairs PABC. On the right it will tell you the cost of the game.

• Click on that game to invite a partner to play (you need to know their BBO User Name), or accept an invitation from a partner.
• If you don’t have a partner you can chose to play with a robot for an extra $.25.

Current 499’er Games

499’er games at the same times as open games (above) are still hosted by Will Watson.  To find the games once you log in:

1. Select Competitive
2. Select Free Tournaments
3. Select a game hosted by WillWats.
   You can play with a person you know or a Robot. Robots cost $.25.

Additional information/tips

• For your first game, start the process 15-20 minutes early to navigate through the steps.
• Your BBO name and you partner’s both have to be known to the director running the game. If you get a message that you are blocked send a quick text or email to the director with your BBO names and the director will add you to the group. Director contact information can be found by clicking this link: https://paloaltobridge.org/directors/
• When you first sign up for BBO you can practice a little with their robots for free. From the Home page click Solitaire and then Just Play Bridge.
• Using a Convention card is also a good idea. You can create one for each of your partners under the account tab. You can also use one of the default standard cards listed. When you create a card, it is very important to use your partners BBO name in the box labeled name in the left hand corner. That is how BBO associates convention cards with players.
• It helps for all the players to know your name so if you pick a nickname or something else as your BBO User Name, please add your full name to your BBO profile. Players can check for it when they play at your table.

Here is a link to is a 9 minute YouTube video with some basic instructions. We suggest you watch this if you are new to BBO: How To Use Bridge Base

Looking forward to seeing you online soon!