Bridge Base Online isn’t the only great app you should keep on your smartphone.

Apps are useful, especially when it comes to navigating your way to and from a bridge game. Real-life bridge appears to be back in full swing post-lockdown – and even when deciding to stay in, there’s an app that can make your bridge experience better.

Here’s a selection of apps for navigating bridge.

            1. YouTube

YouTube is best known as a website, but if you’re accessing it from a mobile device, try the app. It works worlds better than hoping to access the same videos through your browser – and there’s the benefit of being able to download selected ones for offline viewing.

Usually, the YouTube app should be updated when first using it. Do this through your relevant App Store, or through Settings > App Settings on your device.

Now, have fun viewing all the bridge stuff you want.

            2. Google Maps

Google Maps is integrated into the Google interface, and it comes stock with most Android devices. (If you can’t use yours, follow the same advice as earlier and update to the latest version of the app.)

Maps is great for its ability to navigate to-and-from a bridge game no matter where in the world you happen to be. It also has the option of Street View, individual bookmarks or print-out directions for driving or walking the route.

Simply, it’s useful when you’re stuck.

Make sure yours is updated before leaving for anywhere.

            3. Uber Eats

I’m convinced that there isn’t a single place or time in the world where food delivery wouldn’t be appropriate.

When you’re new in an area or just visiting, the first question that pops up is going to be food-related. It’s especially true for long drives and bridge games.

Uber Eats links app users up to the closest food-to-order near you.

Obviously, that’s pretty useful.

What it doesn’t indicate is which meals on the menu to avoid. Check out reviews to find out which restaurants are good and which ones have reputations for underdone chicken or food poisoning.

            4. Periscope

It’s impossible to say online bridge without online streaming – or electronic kibitzing, if that term for it ever takes off.

Periscope is a simple, small app that streams from your device’s camera to a live stream. It can be watched live (or as a video, later) by others with the link.

Stream bridge games, or stream your trip there. You’d be surprised at the viewership random things streaming could get.

It’s cool for its small size and instant connectivity. (Also, you can see poker player Daniel Negreanu streaming games here for an added cool card-player factor.)

            5. AccuWeather

Weather isn’t just a great topic for getting out of awkward conversation, it’s also an essential need-to-know for travel to pretty much anywhere.

Download a weather app. (And this can’t be said enough.)

This way, you know what to pack and more or less what to wear.

The app can’t help with which shoes go with that dress, but you can’t have everything at once.

            6. Microsoft Translate

Microsoft might have been a little late to the app race, but Microsoft Translate is a decent free app that does exactly what its name says – and does it well.

The app can help to translate text, voice and images into several languages. (It’s great even for signage that gets lost in translation while you’re on the move.)