The way in which bridge games are approached is changing at a rapid rate.

Now, most games are played online instead of at a club – and for the survival of bridge clubs everywhere, there’s been a universal decision to embrace online bridge.

Not all players are taking to the change well. Some traditional table-based players still feel like fish out of water and as though online play is a big change.

The good news? Bridge is still the same game, give or take a few nuances of the online gaming world, and it can still be played with just as much delight (and interaction!) as before.

Here’s how to help your club transition to online play.

Safety First

One of the best things about Bridge Base Online is that the BBO platform runs on anything, whether you’ve got a new smartphone or a computer held together with mostly prayer.

Assuming that everyone has online access, the first thing to do is to encourage online safety. Make sure that all club members understand the importance of basic antivirus software and a safe password.

Consult BBO Help First

Have you ever received a new phone or other technological gadget and dove right in without reading the manual only to have disastrous consequences later?

Well, let’s take a step back.

For many players, the concept of BBO and bridge online is still new.

Consult BBO’s official Help Section for how to start a game, join a table or take part in a tournament.

How to Use BBO

Once you’re all done with the help section, there’s a lot more to explore both inside BBO and out.

For members who are still having a little trouble transitioning, there are hundreds of YouTube videos and tutorials covering the navigation and more advanced use of the BBO platform.

Just type the search key “Bridge Base Online” together with “how to” into YouTube to find a selection of them at once depending on what it is you need to know more about.

Making Online Play Better

Players who are still in the process of getting used to online play over a physical club should try some of these tips to improve their online experience.

• Chat: Many play bridge for social reasons as much as for anything else. BBO has the benefit of chat, forum and IM features that means other players are only a few clicks away.
• Varieties of Bridge: Looking for bridge like you’ve never seen it before? Try any other variety of bridge available on BBO, including video bridge or Just Declare.
• Screen Casting: Online bridge can be a huge visual adaptation. Use screen casting to send the image to a smart-TV – or simply opt for BBO on a tablet or PC instead.  

Online-Only Features

If online bridge still seems like a huge adaptation to any members of your club, it might be time to explore more of what BBO has to offer.

Online bridge makes everything you’ve ever hated about organizing for a bridge game both effortless and instant. There are also more great features, such as an active forum and access to a worldwide network of other players.

Kibitzing with a click, bridge against a robot, instant player partnerships. All of these things are made possible through online bridge – and without it, would have been unimaginable.