The online bridge game is a different breed, but of the same animal as face-to-face contract bridge. They are different, but they are also the same in many facets.
Comparing online bridge against face-to-face games feels a little like matching up a ragdoll feline up against a wildcat.
Each have things that make them unique, but both of them can still be just as exciting and terrifying at the same time.
See? Just like two different breeds of cats.
Here are some quick facts about online bridge.
Online bridge is becoming more popular by the day.
If you want to see a gauge of where the online bridge table numbers are standing at today, mouse over to the Bridge Base homepage. The counter shows just how many tables of bridge are being played right at this very second.
The first thing you’ll notice if you check every week or month is that the numbers are on the way up.
Online bridge is big, and getting even bigger by the day.
That’s some fact-for-thought.
Online tournaments are worth Masterpoints.
People show up for online tournaments because they enjoy playing bridge (and sometimes even winning). But that’s not the only draw you’ll see at an online bridge game.
Online tournaments are worth Masterpoints from the ACBL.
Compete with a filled-in ACBL Number, and online tournaments adds to your strength.
It’s like gaining a little bit of XP every time.
Some versions of bridge were invented here.
Contract bridge is largely credited to the changes of Vanderbilt, and we know that forms like HOOL and Bumblepuppy Bridge exists today.
But there are other forms that you’ll only see online.
Just Declare and Bridge Master are some of the varieties of bridge that were invented through the collaborations Bridge Base has had over the years.
Enjoyed a game of either lately?
Thank BBO for it!
Bridge Base Online was founded in 2001.
If you haven’t been stuck to the Wikipedia page for bridge like I have for years, then you might not have this bit of information in your memory banks yet (or you might not have been a bridge player yet when BBO came to be).
One of the best places to play bridge has existed since the 23rd of April, 2001.
Working back the calendar, it’s been around for a pretty long time.
I wonder where online bridge will come to be in another couple of decades.
Will we be playing our opponents as holograms yet? Will we get battle bridge that allows the Ace to stab the King?
Let’s wait and see.