User Tools

Site Tools


virtualclubfaq

What are BB$ and where do we buy them?

BB$ is the online currency used by BBO. BB$1 is equivalent to 1 US Dollar or currently about 88p. BB$ can be purchased here here. BB$ should not be purchased through the BBO app as a surcharge will be applied.

How long will we have to play each board and what happens if we run out of time?

The default is 8 minutes per board and to begin with this is probably a good amount of time. Once players are more comfortable playing online this could be reduced to 7 minutes per board. If all tables finish before the allowed time has run out then the tables will move for the next round automatically so you will never be waiting if all tables have finished.

If you are still playing when the time runs out then the software or the director will review the board and adjust to the most likely outcome. It is not possible to give a weighted ruling and so one outcome has to be chosen which is considered to be the most likely. Only where the possible outcomes are too numerous will an average be given. The software and the director are not infallible so if you do not agree with the adjusted outcome please call the director and ask them to review it.

When does registration open for a club game?

Registration opens 2 hours before the start time. Both members of a partnership need to be online in order to register.

How do we register for a club game?

  • Log on to BBO
  • Click Competitive under Play or Watch Bridge
  • Then click All Tournaments
  • In the Search Box (above where it says “Entries”) type the name of the club
  • Click on the event in the list
  • Enter the BBO name of your partner
  • Click invite. Your partner will also need to be logged on to BBO in order for them to receive your invite.

If you receive a message “This tournament is private - only select usernames are allowed to participate” then you need to contact your club to be added to the list. Possibly your username is in the list but has been misspelt.

Is there a partnership desk?

There is a partnership desk which is available from the time which registration opens i.e. 2 hours before the start time. Follow the instructions above to go the event. Click on the event and then there is a Partnership Desk tab. Here you will be able to see anyone else who has already registered as looking for a partner. If you wish to add yourself to the list then click the button for 'I will pay for only myself'.

What happens if there’s a half table?

BBO does not recommend using Sit Outs as BBO was not designed to use Sit Outs and they have not been tested by BBO. For normal movements they may work fine but it is at the club's risk.

BBO has a list of people who have indicated they are willing to act as substitutes for any tournament, the usual procedure is to use two people from the list to make up the half table. These people will probably not be from UK and therefore will probably not play Acol but it avoids the need for the club to have a designated standby pair.

If the club has a designated standby pair then they can be brought in if the game the game starts with a half table. In this case they would not pay an entry fee.

Robots can be used as substitutes both individually or as a pair to make up a half table.

Robots are treated as juniors and so no UMS (P2P) is payable for Robots. UMS (P2P) will be due for other substitutes.

What happens if I get disconnected during a game?

If someone loses their connection and then logs straight back on then their seat will be reserved for them and they will be taken straight back to it automatically. If someone loses their connection and is offline for a longer period then the director would be alerted and would bring in a temporary substitute. There is a list of people on BBO who have said they are willing to be a substitute for any tournament who can be called upon for this purpose. When the original player gets back online they will be automatically taken back to their seat at the start of the next hand.

If a pair have registered but then miss the start will their entry fee be refunded?

Yes it will be.

How do we upload the results to Bridgewebs and to EBU?

There are a number of 3rd party utilities which can help to create the XML files for upload to Bridgewebs and EBU. One such utility is called BBO Extractor, instructions on how to use it can be found here.

Our club members are concerned about buying BB$, is there another option?

Yes there is. If the club chooses they can setup their games up so that the players do not pay anything when they register and the club is then charged for use of the BBO platform instead. The amount the club would be charged by BBO would be $4 per table per session. The club would be responsible for collecting the table money from the players. The money charged by BBO would be collected by the EBU to pass on to BBO, in addition to the UMS (P2P) fees.

virtualclubfaq.txt · Last modified: 2022/10/25 09:25 by jonathan