Our online bridge sessions are run through Bridge Base Online. If you have a BBO name and would like to play with us then fill in this form Bridge Today Online Form or contact us by email or phone or chat to the host VABF2266 before the game starts.
If you are new to online bridge then check out the instructions here.
Our schedule for online bridge on the Bridge Base Online website is:
Day Time No. of boards Cost BB$ Monday 1.30pm 24 4 Tuesday 1.30pm 24 4 Wednesday 1.30pm 24 4 Thursday 1.30pm 24 4 Friday 1.30pm 24 4 Saturday 1.30pm 24 4
The sessions will only appear two hours before the game time so you can only book in from then. Our duplicate sessions can be found by clicking on Virtual Clubs on the BBO home page. In the Virtual Clubs section click on ABF – Australia and look for a game with Bridge Today in the title.
After logging in you may wish to check you have sufficient BB$ to pay the entry fee of BB$4. When you enter, your partner should also be logged on to BBO to accept your invitation to play. If you don’t have a partner, click on Partnership Desk and add your name. You may see another player listed there so you can click on Invite to ask them to play.
Once you have registered your entry you can log off but be sure to be back online 10 minutes before the session time. If you have registered to play and are not online, you may receive a call to ask you to go online.
Ten minutes before the start of every online session you will see the Tip of the Day with bidding and play advice. If you are on a computer you will find our tip notes in the chat area on the main screen. On an iPad you need to tap on the Messages icon at the bottom of the screen then tap on Chat at the top of the screen to see the tip in the chat area.
After every session you will receive an email from Pianola with your score. You can also look up your result at the end of the game through the History tab on BBO.
The contact numbers for directors for our online sessions are:
Matthew Thomson 0432 993 582 – from one hour before the game and during the game on Monday afternoon and Thursday afternoon.
Libby Birdsall 0425 212 213 – from one hour before the game and during the game on Tuesday afternoon, Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon.
Cathryn Collins 0417 625 379 – from one hour before the game and during the game on Wednesday afternoon.
There are just a few steps to follow if you have never played online and would like to get started.
1. To join Bridge Base Online. Go to https://www.bridgebase.com/ and click on the red Login/Register button in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Next click on Register. Fill out the membership page. You will need to choose a BBO username that has not already been taken. You won’t need to fill in an ACBL number. BBO will send you an email with a link that you will have to click to confirm your membership. When you first go into BBO it is worth having a practice to get some experience with BBO sessions. Look in the Solitaire section and try Just Play Bridge. Alternatively look in the Instant Tournaments section and try the Weekly Free Instant Tournament.
2. The next step is to click on this link – BBO name form and fill out the form so we have you on our playing list. You only have to do this once.
3. If you would like to earn Australian Bridge Federation masterpoints you will also need to register your BBO name in a MyABF account. The link to register with the ABF is https://www.myabf.com.au/accounts/register. Please add your BBO name in your MyABF account profile.
John Roberts has been helping players get started, showing how to register with a partner, how to find a partner on the Partnership Desk, updating the players list and advising about the intricacies of BBO. He can be contacted from 8.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday on (02) 9979 9099.