Whisty709, on 2021-February-23, 17:35, said:
[*]How do I create or find/join Chicago tables? (4 rounds, that's it.)
I'm afraid you can't, at least not properly. Rubber bridge is very old-fashioned and rarely played these days, in favor of duplicate - BBO did offer it many many years ago, but given how few played it, it wasn't included when they updated their software.
If you have three friends online, you can theoretically play it by starting a total points table and scoring it manually - but it's not an inbuilt option.
Whisty709, on 2021-February-23, 17:35, said:
[*]The chat lobby? I see people posting stuff, but I can't see anything that resembles a conversation, and when I post a message nothing shows up, and no one responds. Why? Are there browser capability issues?
The lobby is rarely used - under Account - Settings there is an option to show lobby chat, but most would have it disabled. Lobby chat was normally a case of players accidentally talking to the lobby when they meant to talk to just their own table anyway.
Whisty709, on 2021-February-23, 17:35, said:
[*] My account profile says "Compatibility ***** (5 stars). What does that mean?
If you google "compatibility site:bridgebase.com/forums/" you'll see a heap of threads about compatibility. The intention is for it to be important when viewing someone *else's* profile; it just so happens that it also shows when you view your own, so you're 100% compatible with yourself. But I've never found any meaning or use for the compatbility stars.
Whisty709, on 2021-February-23, 17:35, said:
[*] When I create a table how do I show the convention card I wish to have used?
BBO only supports convention cards for *pairs*. Under Account - Convention Cards you can add a new card and the name of your partner, and it will automatically provide it to your opponents any time you're seated with that partner. However, it's not possible to post personal convention cards.
Most players fill in their profile field (Account - Profile) with some details of what they play. But if a random player shows up, there's no guarantee they'll look at your profile. Most people will probably assume some form of SAYC by default; if you play something else it's probably something you want to confirm with them in chat.
Whisty709, on 2021-February-23, 17:35, said:
[*]How do I create or find/join tables of the same skill level?
[*]I find a table that has an empty seat, it says "Sit!". So I do and without even doing anything everyone else leaves? Why?
There's no real way to separate skill level other than trial and error (though you may find the Relaxed Bridge Club more laid back than the Main Bridge Club). There are a huge range of players who play 'pick-up' games on BBO. You'll find people who self-designate as 'Experts' who make beginner-level mistakes. You'll find some who get annoyed if you take more than a few seconds to make a decision; some that boot you immediately or leave if you make a play they disagree with. Or people may just leave because the phone rang, or they're bored, or who knows.
But you'll also find players who are friendly and play similar systems to you. You can mark these as friends and arrange to play together again. It will take some time and effort to build up relationships, but it is worth it.
Help
The free instant (solitaire) tournament seems to be a decent way to learn. Can review the hands afterwards. And there is a Bridge4 game;that really needs to be available as public tables.
