zielona

Agree, same here. Both ports, sat.bridgebase.com and bbo.bridgebase.com. This time I can't see if it's just me or everyone because recent tournaments don't display either (on http://web04.bridgebase.com/tourneyhistory/index.html). A different problem?

I'm back in business on both laptops after changing to sat.bridgebase.com, thanks Uday! Just in case that helps with the permanent solution: 1) I had port 9999 in the bbover file all the time. I tried to use 80 briefly earlier today in an attempt to fix the problem but that didn't work and I changed back to 9999 straight away. 2) I disconnected one of the laptops from the cable and dialled up to a friend's dialup server (totally different ISP). BBO worked fine. thanks again :)

Hello I am currently experiencing identical problem on both my laptops. It started few (~5?) hours ago. Don't remember in which config file the port number is specified but I went as far as re-installing BBO on my vista laptop. That would set the port to the default would it? Still no joy.

Hi I reported this one long time ago via email but it is still here and causes awkward situations every now and then. A sub arriving to a tourney during play may be unable to play a card. Board status in the top left corner says that the board is completed. It just happened to me when I was subbed into a clocked Indy into a position of a declarer. It does happen sometimes in my tourneys I was told. I run unclocked Indys. Going out and in always helps. Today I didn't bother and I was subbed, with no benefit to anyone. Can this fault please be looked into? zielona

hello I have recently acquired a new pc with vista home basic. I have a funny problem with BBO. The sound appears to lagging behind, sometimes by up to few seconds. My question is: Is it possible that this is a BBO software fault or should I rather be looking into my sound drivers? Has anyone else observed a similar issue? Note that my vista pc is a brand new dell and just about everything was wrong with it when I first got it. Which is why I would rather think that this is not a BBO fault but thought I may check with you before I go elsewhere. thanks for your help - I'll be happy with the yes or no answers :D) PS. I did notice some faults on BBO but that do not recollect seeing on my usual XP machine. Eg crashes like the one just minutes ago (from the event viewer: Faulting application NetBridgeVu.exe, version 0.0.0.0, time stamp 0x459aa8f7, faulting module NetBridgeVu.exe, version 0.0.0.0, time stamp 0x459aa8f7, exception code 0xc0000005, fault offset 0x001a6b83, process id 0x1328, application start time 0x01c79fdc7e487600.).

A++ is average plus for both sides. Doesn't matter if it's average minus or plus really, neither is a correct score. My dillema was different though. The board was not unfinished. It was made unfinished by the TD. TD thought it wasn't nice towards the sub to let him continue so he terminated the board with the artificial A++ score. TD valued the wellbeing of the substitute player above the (likely) ambitions of the existing players. Neither I was trying to re-activate many discussions about what could possibly be done to discourage purposeful quitting of BBO tournaments. It's not that accept runners. It's that half of the red's are due to genuine disconnections and not due to running. My dillema was: Should the TD interfere in the result when a substitute player is brought in in the middle of the play. And if so, how?

I wonder if laws of online bridge, once written, will cover all aspects of player substitutions. At present TD's use their own imagination for the sake of fairness and often also their own convenience. This happened last Sunday: Clocked individual tourney. 2 boards per round. Non playing TD. Free tourney for everyone. First board in the second last round. All on time, quick bidding and quick first few tricks. Contract: 3NT. With 6 tricks completed the declarer loses connection, perhaps quits. Balance of tricks: 4 for opps, 2 for the declarer. Opps still hold one ace. There is no line of play possible that would not give opps one more trick. No finesses necessary. No guesses involved. Obvious result: down one. TD's decision after bringing in a sub: A++. TD's explanation: It is impossible for the sub to finish the board with 6 tricks gone. 3 Imps and no discussion please. I accept that it is often awkward for a sub to land at the table in the middle of the play. I've been many times in that situation, including once when the contract was 7 of something and opps were already in possession of 9 tricks. Frustrating? Yes, it may be. But for the sake of fairness, no adjustments. As a TD, on occasions I adjust the board before making a substitution. So what is fair? What should the TD do, given limited time he/she has for thinking? Is nothing the best answer perhaps? Regards, zielona

I may be wrong here but I believe that agreeing on the blackwood responses during bidding is against the rules. I think there is an overruling law in any bridge, internet or f2f, not to communicate with your partner once the bidding has started and till such time as the penultimate trick has been completed. In my tournaments and wherever I play I do not tolerate people agreeing any bidding conventions after the first bid on their side. I believe it is hard to draw the line between what's innocent and what's naughty so it's better not to try. This applies to any arrangements, permanent partnerships, once off partnerships, casual subs in pairs tourneys and very specifically in the individual tourneys. I would be interested in what others have to say here. Related issue is alerting a bid when you haven't agreed the meaning with your partner, for whatever reason. I don't and advise other not to. When asked, I say no agreement . I believe this is the fairest approach.

Dear ArcLight, I just can't, can't resist the temptation to comment on your comment. To begin with, there are billions of civilized people in this world who do not speak English. It's very likely that most of those stay out of BBO but your statement was pretty general. Further, millions of civilized bridge players do not know SAYC. They are stuck with SAYC on BBO and so they try to learn basics, but again your statement is to a great degree derogatory. I understand your concern as most likely you would only be able to provide ONE language and ONE bidding system. And I trust all civilized people would not hold it against you. Sincerely, zielona => means green => green in SAYC but still considers herself civilized.... PS1 Am surprised forum admins let ArcLight's comment stay here for that long. Not all civilized people understand emoticons. PS2 I like your idea Helene. Perhaps could add a level for each bidding system as there are plenty "beginner" SAYC bidders here who otherwise are above that level.

One information is missing in the description of the problem - was it a pairs event?

Options - chat - de-tick Ignore chat From enemies. Should be easy.

I agree with the predecessors' comments regarding the feedback and how so many choices may possibly make Fred a bit busy for a while. Being a software developer myself I would rather offer less choices and have less to maintain and debug. But then again, I have less users - only slightly - and possibly much easier way to ask them what they want (if I care to ask). I hope I won't sound too contradictory if I ask for yet another choice. Can it be possible to opt against the ads at the table? I am still on the dialup and whenever a new ad is loaded my bbo stops for 2 or so seconds and I'm forced to stare at the little hourclock pinned to the cursor. Please? Interestingly, few nights ago I ran a tourney with the old style tables, no ads and the chat-lobby-tables-tourneys buttons neatly arranged one above the other. How could that happen? I have been looking for "an option" ever since and can't find one :)(

Much's been said about the sins of free tourney players and how to prevent them. But what about TD's? Some critisism of free tourney TDs was recorded along the way, mostly as "blanket" accusations of low standard, inability to adjust scores etc. To improve the image of free TD's, can we stop giving TD rights to just anyone? Was playing today in a free tourney that was cancelled after the first or second round. TD made the following announcement and just cancelled 2 seconds later: >>>SORRY<<< This Tournaments must be Cancel, 'cause i must playing TM >>>!H!H!H THANKS !H!H!H<<< TD then went to play in the Main Bridge Club. May be there were too many absentees because the tourney started 20 minutes before the announced time??? I dunno. Why do we expect responsible attitude from players? If Td can quit, so can players, right? Merry Christmas everyone :))))♥ :blink:

I run unclocked tourneys. People rarely complain that they are slow although it happens too, especially when they are unlucky to be stuck with a slow player and rude enough to complain. 6 minutes are plenty to finish the board, especially if all 4 players are fast and have good connections. So are 3 minutes for that matter if a hand is relatively easy and most of them are. No matter how long the round, some will always have to wait and, if arrogant enough, will complain. Less so in unclocked. 25% left the tourney? This hardly ever happens. Two things could contribute: (1) bad connections from one particular region and/or bbo problem (2) subbing too quickly which is quite common in clocked tournaments. I usually wait about 2 minutes. And the most important one... thanking TD... may I please disagree with most of you. I am a playing TD so have chat open. I am reasonably chatty and quite obnoxious. Rough but not rude I would think. Do get occasional thanks. Appreciate but not enjoy. Always answer, at least with a smile. Can't imagine what would happen if everyone wanted to thank me. Wouldn't have time to respond! On occasions I thank other TDs too. Usually when they were exceptionally funny or if they had a bit of a tough time. I've been running free tourneys for 1/2 year now. Love it. Once only got really upset and even complained here. Deal with rude players, slow players, funny ones, weird ones, all sorts. The most difficult are those who cannot read english. Still, it's fun. For me and I hope for my players. TD-ing free tourneys is not everyone's cup of tea. Don't like it, don't do it.

Excellent Hrothgar I love the idea and, provided that you throw in ability to make adjustments - to either ave or a score, I am applying for the TF position. If you have read the very new topic "when a psyche is psyche" in "general bridge discussion" you'd find a great example of a very good TF who is trying to be a TD. On the other hand, I came across a TD this morning who should NOT be a TF. A good night sleep behind me, I decided to be a nice girl and joined the sub list of an indy rock around the clock, unclocked, with 9 tables left. I was put in a seat immediately. Second last round. North. The clock was -2. The only bid so far was from my p, south. West was not red although clearly absent. I learned that TD had been informed but did not replace west. Previous north was impatient and ran. TD replaced him with me. With the clock -5 east ran. I called TD and explained the situation. TD replaced east. I talked to td again, even suggested adjusting to ave so other tables who had finished that round and were waiting for us could progress, and then deal with dead west. No action. I apologized and left. I waited a while and re-logged in. My coffee mug was nearly empty and I still didn't have my breakfast game of bridge. BBO put me in the same seat. The clock was -11. East ran. New sub was put in east seat. More conversations with TD followed, polite. With clock -18 I left for good. Coffee was all gone and so I decided that spider solitaire will have to do as my breakfast treat. That was possibly a good TD but zero TF.

Thank you Inquiry. I wasn't aware of the etiquette.

Not even trying to analyse the hand, I would like to know what is the general opinion about connecting break in tempo with unauthorised information. BBO is so open for cheating that from the td perspective we just must to assume honesty. most players are honest because they know it's not fun otherwise. Break in tempo most likely comes from: knock on the door cat asking for a cuddle phone ringing virus check offering its services etc etc is it worth to try to draw conclusions?

Dear Uday and Fred, I am a free td. Trying to be fair and polite and provide tourneys for everyone to enjoy. As most tourneys these days are for money, I think BBO should appreciate free tourneys as through participation in such the players learn the concept and may (usually will) eventually join paid clubs and tournaments. In my turn, I appreciate that BBO gives me opportunity to spend my free time in a pleasurable way. As all td's, I cop occasional abuse but usually there's more nice than bad. Every now and then though I am ready to give up. Like today. The following comes from my chat, un-edited: PLAYER1->Tournament: pls sub me dir = ACBL starts in 8 mins PLAYER1->Tournament: i never knew that this is such a slow tourn ->Player1: sorry this not an acceptable reason ->zielona: Automated message: MISSING: 1 player in T# 189 (Individual) zielona->Tournament: Last round for last tables - thanks all again. nebula1: glp buddy44: !H thank you for nice tourney !H ->buddy44: ywc !h PLAYER2->Tournament: some players PLAYER1 are not 'experts'and need more time...... sorry for that ........... ->zielona: Automated message: Substitution error. xxxx not replaced with xxxx zielona->Tournament: no need to apologize Player2. Player1, so you don't make a mistake and join my tourney again, would you like me to put you on my "ban" list? Player4: that is a very rude way to handle this situation Player4 (Lobby): you need to take some lessons before directing again Player1 (Lobby): pls do so Player3 (Lobby): TY for your tourney. Player1 complained about being slow EVERY time I was at a table with him.... (no need to reply) Player2->Tournament: i don't know what is 'ban' list - do as you please.... ->zielona: Automated message: Substitution error. xxxx not replaced with yyyyy ->Player4: Player1 asked to be put on the ban list and i will drop you there too. free td's do not need critisism like that. i am not sue if you can tell the difference between rude and polite ... ->Player4: so i don't need you at my tourneys. thanks for participating today. Player4 (Lobby): i didn't participate ..i watched...and bbo tournaments should be directed properly whether they are free or not Player1 (Lobby): i am a dir of BBO Money bridge and shall speak with uday and fred to ban you as a director of any tournament - unles you apologize ..... Player4: banning those who point out your errors is not the way for you to learn to do it better For your info, Player1 and Player4 joined the ACBL tourney as a partnership. So I couldn't find out what errors I made. kind regards zielona

Thank you I didn't realize that, may be because I usually run one board per round tourneys. Will follow advise and increase time.. or stick to one board per round.

Hi In the last tourney that I ran today, BBO assigned AVE to one table. There would be nothing wrong with this but the tourney was unclocked and the table was not doing worse with time than several others. Apparently players didn't even see the boards although I am not so sure about that. When I was called, the round status was completed, cards faced up, players sitting and waiting, no bids on the bidding pad and AVE assigned to all players. Can someone please explain that? I had problems explaining to one of the players why I was not willing to adjust the score. Had to apologize on behalf of bbo. Regards

I found the missing player messages annoying for two reasons: 1. With the chat area so busy, it is easy to miss genuine messages from players 2. Not enough information in the message Too often? Yes, they are but how do we really know? The messages have no time stamps. I am finding lack of time stamps on any messages in the chat area slightly inconvenient at times. Is it possible to add an option to see time stamp or see it as mouse-over?

Hi I am also very new TD. One of the reasons I wanted to be a TD was curiosity about the TD software on BBO. I must admit that I am quite impressed by TD software as a whole and by some cute features like board history in particular. However, some features are not exactly like I imagined them before. In response to Miron: Q2. I use board history for adjustments and also when I get a tip that a player bids or plays "funny", eg. overbids on purpose. I may follow accusations like that to see if such behaviour was consistent or a personal revange or something else that would deem this players undesired in my tourneys. I am giving top mark to the board history feature. I1. It is easy to work out who called after you hit YES button, from the message in the chat area. But you are losing the text on the call pop-up. Also often you get 3 calls from the same table and dispose of 2 of them on the spot, losing all info provided in them. Before I became TD, I thought all TD calles were added to the chat or perhaps there was a separate rolling "TD call board" where each calls would have buttons like ATTEND, INACTIVE or DELETE. I3. Again, I imagined a bit more, something similar to what Miron described. I thought that when you were a TD, table view was enriched with more information: board number, completed/not, time of last bid or card added + next player's name, red dots on players etc etc. I run unclocked tourneys and it would be useful to know who is waiting for the slowest table in each round. Personal apology to them could prevent leaving the tourney by impatient players who think that "something is wrong with BBO". This is particularly important when I am playing. Alternative, add completed table numbers to status summary and increase number of table numbers from 5 to ??? more than 5 :( I6. I copy announcements one by one from open Excel file. I believe some TD's have more sophisticated software that allows them to send few messages at once. How is this done? My own: Z1. How can i remove someone from the sub list or (preferred) reorder the list? If the top sub rejects, it takes few goes for BBO to ask the next sub, or so it appears to be. Am I doing something wrong? Is typing the sub's name in the appropriate spot on the Tournament Management panel really bringing them in without asking?? Z2. How can I boot a player without subbing him? I had a, possibly drunk, player who was making rude racist remarks on tourney chat. I could not close the chat because I was playing, and I had no subs. I would have been happier with a sitout. Is it possible? Z3. Can we have services of auto translator from English to native language of each player, for all TD announcements? ONLY KIDDING :)))))) ♥♥♥

Tournament: unclocked Indy, 6 rounds, 6 boards. In round 3, after few errors from opposition, my partner has the chance of making an un-makeable contract of 2♠. Declarer: E. Vul E/W. Here is the ending: North: ♠ - ♥ - ♦ 9 8 ♣ 10 8 3 West: ♠ - ♥ 9 7 ♦ - ♣ A K 9 (....) East: ♠ 10 5 2 ♥ - ♦ - ♣ 6 4 South: ♠ - ♥ J ♦ - ♣ Q J 7 5 Tricks taken: East (declarer): 3, N/S: 5 South took the last trick and leads ♣Q. Declarer claims -1. Both oppenents quickly accept. Dummy contacts non-playing TD. TD rules that "claim/score stand". In further discussion, he states that "if both opps/declarer agree, there is little I can do". Your opinion?