One
way to improve your game is to watch experienced pairs and try to analyze their
thinking processes. A great resource for this is Bridgebase Online (BBO), the
free online club used by thousands of players every day.
One
way to improve your game is to watch experienced pairs and try to analyze their
thinking processes. A great resource for this is Bridgebase Online (BBO), the
free online club used by thousands of players every day.
One of BBO's kibitzing options is the free Vugraph shows that give you a tableside seat at major tournaments around the world. Many of the Vugraph presentations feature commentary and analysis from experts as you watch the bidding and play. Details on upcoming coverage of bridge events are on the BBO Vugraph schedule site.
You'll find other good kibitzing in the casual games that BBO hosts throughout the day. Many experts play at tables in BBO's main bridge club and in team games with other experts. Their tables will usually have a lot of kibitzers, and all you have to do is click "Join" to watch. With the web version of BBO, you can find these tables by clicking "BBO Now" and then "Interesting tables".
If you want to look for top players by name, start with expert Jimmy Cayne (jec), the most kibitzed player on BBO. Cayne plays two or three team matches a day (usually around 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.) with world-class team-mates and opponents. He plays a standard 2-over-1 system with gadgets and usually has several hundred kibitzers who discuss the bidding and play.
Here's a short list of other BBO players who frequently play in expert team matches or matchpoint pair games and who usually play mainstream bidding systems. To kibitz at their tables, look for their "handles" (the names in parentheses) when you log in, or add their handles to your "friends" list to be automatically notified when they're online.
Steve Beatty (sbeatty)
George Jacobs (georgej)
Wayne Stuart (wstuart)
John Swanson (swanson)
Harmon Edgar (harmon)
Charlie Weed (weedo)
Cheri Bjerkan (cherilou)
Colby Vernay (ckv)
Hal Mouser (mouser)
Migry zur Campanile (migry)
Hjordis Eythorsdottir (disa)
Jill Meyers (jillm)
John Stewart (stewball)
Ralph Katz (ralphk)
Nick Nickell (fnickell)
Richard Pavlicek (rfp)
Free membership: To join BBO, go to http://www.bridgebase.com. Choose the web interface or the software (for download and installation on your home computer) to access BBO and create your login and password. Once you're logged in, click the "Help" box on any screen for instructions and tutorials on how to use BBO to play bridge, kibitz, watch Vugraph shows, use the Partnership Bidding tables and access other features.