Lost connections - players abandoning hands

[7NTDbld]

I've been using BBO for several years. I've been away for awhile, and I'm appalled with the conditions at the table now.

 

Opponents incessantly come and go without impunity during the bidding AND playing of the hands. Worse, when someone loses their connection, their seat is no longer reserved. Why did they revert back to the old dinosaur days?

 

I understand when the Host lost their connection, it froze the table if they didn't return. I remember that happening when logging onto a new table, only to sit there forever waiting for the Host to bid, fearing that if I left "in the middle of the hand" I'd get dinged. Please, isn't there a way to "time out" lost connections, so when the Host doesn't return, the table is freed up?

 

I'd rather jump onto a frozen table once in awhile, because I can at least bail out and go elsewhere, even at the risk of a ding or two now and then. Judging by how frequently players abandon hands now, there doesn't appear to be much "real" risk at all anymore. Maybe it's a matter of the lesser of two evils?

 

Thanks,

Carol

[inquiry]

Hi Carol,

 

Things are not as bleak as you paint them. For one thing, the BBO software tracks people who leave a table AFTER their first bid and BEFORE the last card is played. Do it too many times and the software suspends your ability to play in either tournament or main room (depending upon where you leave too often). NOTE: once the first player leaves in the main room, others can leave without penalty. You are always free leave in main room BEFORE YOU bid.

 

Reserve the seats for the players at the table. If they get disconnected, the seat is reserved for them. No dinosaur problems then.

 

If the host leaves, see the rule above about people leaving the table. In addition, everyone is free to leave a table now and then. One or two abanoned tables will not get you dinged.