Why not indulge in your passion and support your local clubs at the same time? An online bridge game is a good way to touch base with friends and partners.
There are several options if you want to enjoy an online game.
Virtual Club games
Daily games on BBO
ACBL online games and tournaments
ACBL Online Community Games for players with 0-99 masterpoints
Casual games
Virtual Club Games
The ACBL has made it possible for ACBL members to play in games limited to their local club members! An ACBL-sanctioned club can set up a “Virtual Club” on BBO and run online games to replace or complement their regular face-to-face games. Originally, these games were created to serve the regular patrons of a club. However, beginning in August 2023, ACBL members may play in any virtual club game without restriction.
Several Calgary clubs have established Virtual Clubs.
Bidwell-Bridgejoy (VACB255661)
Bridge Nutz (VACB264820)
Partners (VACB273540)
Here is the schedule of games:
| Monday | Partners | Stratified Pairs @ noon |
| Bridge Nutz | Swiss Teams @ 6:45 pm |
| Wednesday | Bidwell-Bridgejoy | Stratified Pairs @ 3:00 pm |
| Bridge Nutz | Stratified Pairs @ 6:45 pm |
| Friday | Bidwell-Bridgejoy | Stratified Pairs @ noon |
| Sunday | Partners | Stratified Pairs @ 10:00 am |
Here is a list of contacts for the Virtual Clubs:
| Bidwell-Bridgejoy | Brian and Joy Saville | bridgejoy@gmail.com | 403-239-2768 |
| Bridge Nutz | Murray and Marilyn Haggins | bridgenutsofcalgary@gmail.com | 403-547-4023 |
| Partners | Brian Johns and Sandy Evans | brianjohns@shaw.ca | 403-561-7907 |
We have created a page with answers to all your questions about playing online, such as who can play, how much does it cost, how does one pay and how long does a session take.
Click HERE to visit the page of FAQs About On-Line Play at Virtual Bridge Clubs on BBO.
Daily on BBO: Support Your Club Daylong Games
ACBL’s “Support Your Club” daylongs are individual tournaments with robots. Each table consists of a single human player, sitting South, and three robot players sitting in the other three seats.
You can register, play at your own pace, leave the table, then resume the game later during the day without losing your results. You will get the final results the next day in a BBO mail, and in the list of Completed tournaments.
When you play in one of these “Support Your Club” games, the majority of your table fees will be given back to your club to help during this difficult time. This way, you can help to support your club while also having the opportunity to win ACBL black masterpoints.
To find these games on BBO, just click on ACBL World and search for “SYC”.
Daily on BBO: Daylong Tournaments
BBO “Daylong Tournaments” are also solo events played with BBO’s robots.
You have up to 24 hours to complete your game, and it doesn’t have to played all at once. You can even pause in the middle of a hand. Register anytime, and you’ll have until midnight Eastern time to finish the 18 boards.
ACBL-Organized Games
In addition to regular ACBL club and tournament sessions, the ACBL also organizes occasional special online games, such as sectionally-rated and regionally-rated tournaments, to benefit the League itself.
You can access the calendar of online events HERE.
ACBL Online Community Games
The series of Online Community Games are for players with 0 – 99 masterpoints. The games award masterpoints and there are Zoom lessons following some of the games.
You can sign up with your partner or use the partnership desk to find a partner for the game. The entry fee for all games is $5.
You can read more HERE.
Other Tips and Links to Resources
Click HERE for an in-depth tutorial all about getting ready to play on BBO, how to register to play in a Virtual Club game and more.
Visit Bridgebase Online to get started.
Visit the ACBL website to access video tutorials about playing on BBO.
A note on paying for BBO games
Payment on BBO is through the use of BridgeBase dollars (BB$). BB$ are simply credits that a player may purchase (through the BBO site). There several methods by which one can purchase BB$ (credit card, PayPal, etc).
Here is an important tip from a Unit 390 member to help you avoid extra costs:
Just a heads up for all who play bridge on BBO. I play using my iPad and as a result I have been buying my BBO dollars through the Apple store. It’s the only way I could do it or so I thought.
Talking to a friend who is playing using a PC I found out that I was paying $65.00 for $30 BB$ through Apple Pay whereas my friend was paying $55 for his $30 BB$
After contacting BBO, it appears that Apple is collecting the extra $10 for the convenience. Apparently if you use an Android tablet the same thing occurs.
You can get around this by logging into your account using a PC and changing your method of payment. I now buy my BBO dollars directly with my VISA and it automatically refills when my account is less than $5. I have now eliminated the Apple surcharge.