Version 4.5.9 Available for Testing!

[fred]

I have fixed several FD-related bugs as well as a bug that caused the score to be displayed wrong for EW players at total points tables.

 

Several members asked me to change the color at the left of the automated friend log in notifications in the chat area. If you don't like the default color you can change it by logging in, clicking Options button, then Online Colors button. Look for "CHAT_FRIEND" and click Edit Foreground Color.

 

Note: You can change just about any color that appears anywhere in BBO through this facility.

 

The exciting new feature is a much improved double dummy solver. We used to use Deep Finesse for this purpose, but starting with Version 4.5.9 we will be using GIB. You do not have to buy a GIB subscription to use GIB for the purposes of double dummy analysis.

 

When you are kibitzing at a table (or watching vugraph) and a contract has been reached (it doesn't matter if cards have been played or not). Click the GIB button on the toolbar. A little menu will appear.

 

Click "Show double dummy results".

 

It may take GIB a few seconds before you notice anything happen (and maybe longer on slow PCs or with very complex deals). Eventually you will see a green or red rectangle appear on every card for the player whose turn it is to play.

 

Green means the contract can be made double dummy.

 

Red means that the contract cannot be made double dummy.

 

This is slightly different from DF where red and green had different meanings depending on whether these symbols appeared on the declarer's or the defenders' cards.

 

A more important difference is you will see symbols written in these colored rectangles. A number indicates how many overtricks or undertricks will be made if everyone is perfect (green=overtricks, red=undertricks). An equals sign (=) means the contract will be made exactly if everyone is perfect.

 

So GIB will tell you exactly how many tricks are possible with all the cards in view and no "mistakes" by any of the players.

 

You will also notice that the symbols automatically move from hand to hand as cards are played. Sometimes GIB's analysis is not fast enough to keep us with the pace of the play and in such cases you will not always see these symbols.

 

The same symbols will appear near the cards played to the current trick as well as cards played on previous tricks (when you hold your mouse over the pile of previous tricks to review what happened).

 

Note that when the symbol changes in the middle of the trick it means the player in question just made a "mistake" (from a double dummy point of view I mean).

 

You can exit this mode by clicking the GIB button again followed by the "Hide double dummy results" item in the menu that appears.

 

There may be some minor glitches to work out, but as far as I can tell this facility is already a very useful tool. I am confident it will be a very popular addition to the software.

 

This is a lot of fun - enjoy!

 

Please report any problems or suggestions to me via e-mail: fred@bridgebase.com

 

I am going to be at a tournament between Monday and Sunday and I may not be able to answer e-mail until after I get home.

 

You can upgrade to 4.5.9 at:

 

Click here to update!

 

or download everything (including all the latest files) at:

 

Click here for everything!

 

I suggest you use the first method, but however you do this, please make sure you exit the BBO program COMPLETELY before you start the download process.

 

Fred Gitelman

Bridge Base Inc.

www.bridgebase.com