We already introduced you to musicians, chefs, players, craftsmen… what about sport fans? Please, welcome Mokhtar, one of BBO’s new programmers. Mokhtar lives in France, with his wife and 18 months son. He likes his work, plays football, fiddles with electronics and – most of all – spends time with his family. Let’s get to know a bit more about him in this interview.

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When did you discover online bridge and BBO?

I only discovered bridge when I got hired at BBO a few month ago.

How do you like the BBO family so far?

Overall, I like it! There are some very good things and some things that can be improved.

I know you like sports, especially football, do you play often?

I play football and futsal regularly. I was registered with a football club and I had started a futsal club but I had to stop for a while, because life got in the way! Today I continue to play with friends, and I plan to register again in a club.

Why do you like football?

I like football because it’s a sport that can be played anywhere, in any country (you even can improvise a field). It is a sport in which everyone has a place and it is not necessarily the strongest team that wins. We can play with anyone at any time of the day or night. But I love football all over for the technical aspects, the tactical side of the game and the joy when you dribble players or score goals.

What is your favorite team and why?

My favorite team is Manchester City. I like their style of play with a system that evolves throughout the game and I like the players they have on the team.

A favorite player and why?

I like several players, Mahrez, DeBruyn, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi… for their style of play but also for their off-field behaviour but if I have to name one… I would say Cristiano Ronaldo for the hard work he does to always be at the top and for his exemplary behaviour outside the field.

You have multiple passions! What else do you do in your free time?

I have always been passionate about computers, electronics and mechanics – I love to fix and finetune my car.

About electronics, it’s fascinating that everything revolves around electric signals, from the electronic part of any car to washing machines…

Now that you asked I could talk about this for years, but to keep it short, all devices work on a simple principle: is there power or not? A bit is only a computer representation of an electron, and just with that we can make all the devices we have now.

I admire what man has accomplished, how with a simple understanding of electrons, and electricity in general, we can make circuits that end up making a computer.

You are French and work with an American team, any cultural differences?

In work, I think there are no different cultures, everyone works to achieve the same goal. But there are different philosophies, different ways of doing things, which do not depend on culture but on the vision that everyone has of work.

What is your favorite thing to do when you go back home after work?

It depends of course on my mood of the day, I can do mechanics, work on personal projects, or just watch television, but what I do most is spend time with my wife and son.

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?

I’d copy other people’s superpowers. Like Peter Petrelli in the Heroes series.