If there’s one thing I know about online bridge players, it’s that they would like their games to be as clear (and as smooth) as possible.

Online bridge on your chosen device provides you with the benefit of settings.

Settings just aren’t available at your nearest real-life bridge game. (Can you imagine adjusting things like the brightness or volume in the middle of a club game?)

But: Settings are available at any online bridge game near you.

Some are PC or device-related settings, some are browser settings, and some are BBO settings.

These settings can allow for a much more comfortable game depending on which setting we’re talking about. Things like font size, brightness, or mouse sensitivity can make a huge difference to what your online bridge game plays like.

Here are some settings for a clearer, smoother online bridge game.

Brightness

Brightness is a device-related setting, usually available under Display Settings on PC (or drop-down menu for mobiles).

Dim brightness if you find the lighting too harsh. Increase brightness where your view doesn’t feel clear enough.

Sometimes, there’s an additional Night Mode setting for reducing harsh light when playing indoors.

Font Size

If you’re straining to see the cards or font, increase the browser’s font size (or the overall font size for your PC or device).

This one hides under Display Settings most of the time.

Some operating systems allow you to search for the appropriate setting. Just type “font” into the search bar and it should show up.

Browser Zoom Ratio

Seeing either too much or too little of the BBO window during your bridge game?

Adjust your browser’s zoom ratio and zoom the view in or out.

For PC, use the shortcut CTRL and – or +. The setting is also available under general browser settings.

For mobile, click-and-drag with two fingers to zoom.

Mouse & Click Sensitivity

Mouse sensitivity makes a huge difference to how your game plays.

This setting controls how easily (or not) your mouse drags across the screen. If a mouse feels wrong, this is where you check first.

For PC, this hides under your general mouse settings.

Click sensitivity can also be set in the same place. If your mouse clicks feel trigger happy, look here.

Browser Plugins

Slow or sluggish browser? Does your browser hang or come to a sudden stop?

It might be a browser plugin clash.

Check under Plugin Settings. From there, update what’s necessary, disable what’s not.

It should take care of any issues that might be plugin-related.

Click-to-Confirm (on BBO)

Misclicks happen, but there’s a way to stop them from happening while you’re playing on BBO.

Check the main BBO settings and look for the two-click confirmation setting.

Now, you’ll need to click twice to confirm your chosen card.

Easier, right?

Mouse or Keyboard (on BBO)

BBO has keyboard shortcuts that apply to the suit or card played. Typing 2C is the equivalent of clicking on the card, pretty much. Just type it into the chat window – and it’ll be taken as a bid-or-play choice instead of a chat.