RealBridge

ONLINE PROGRAMME
Day	Open Sessions	Links to Sessions
Today	Links for Today (not necessarily in order of start time) 
Partnership Desk	We have created a WhatsApp group to assist Intermediate / Junior players to find a partner for an upcoming session.	Click this link: WhatsApp on the device you use to access WhatsApp.  Post a message there if you need a partner.
Monday	7:00pm 6  7:15pm 6	Teams04MayMon7pm IntJunior04MayMon715pm
Monday Night Teams	7.00pm 6	Enter for MAY Results for APR
Tuesday	1:00pm 7:00pm	Open05MayTue1pm Open05MayTue7pm
Wednesday	7:00pm 4	Open06MayWed7pm
Thursday	7:00pm 7:15pm	Open07MayThu7pm IntJunior07MayThu715pm
THURSDAY 8B Monthly Tournament	9:45am	Thursday8B07MayThu945am Thursday8B07MayThuSession2
Friday Interclub	7:15pm - Open 7:15pm - Int 7:15pm - Junior	Next: May 15th	Results: click HERE
There is no need to pre-register for most sessions  When you log in you must enter your full name and NZ Bridge number if you have one.  Look up NZBridge to find your number if you have forgotten it. You should be able to find a partner in the lobby if needed. If you haven't played on RealBridge before, there is some preparation you should do - read the Guide and perform the Camera and Audio test in the overview section below. To join these sessions click the approriate link at least 10 minutes before the start time.  A $7 session charge applies to most sessions. This is paid via a Hello Club account.  Visitors please ensure you set up your HelloClub profile in advance. Click the VISITOR menu item above to create one.
Directors  Patrick Carter, unless indicated.  ¹ Julie Atkinson.   4 Douglas Russell.  5 Mike Dunn.  6 Sylvester Riddell.    7 Duncan Badley.
Substitutes  Players able to fill in as substitutes are needed and welcome for every event.  When you log in to the session add '(Sub)' to the end of your name so the director knows you are willing to sub.  Substitutes are needed most often just the the session starts and during rounnd one.  Watch for messages in the lobby telling you where to sit.
Need a Partner Log into RealBridge 15mins before the session starts, stay in the LOBBY and use the chat box to write to the Director and other players you need a partner. The Director will try to assist you.
Club Session To be eligible to win club events you and your partner must be a member of Auckland Bridge Club.
Masterpoints  Club Masterpoints are awarded for most open sessions

If the link appears to be for last week, more than likely your browser is displaying an old copy of the page click here to see how to force the browser to load the lastest version.

Overview

RealBridge is an internet site where you can play bridge. 

It is similar to BBO which you are probably more familiar with, but you can see and talk to the other players at the table using the camera and microphone on your device (laptop, tablet, computer, not smart phone the screens are just too small).  You can still play without the video and audio if you dont have it. It is a cross between a Zoom meeting and BBO, with players able to see and talk to their partners and opponents.  Online bidding boxes, alert cards, and the playing cards appear in the middle of the screen.  

Player Guide

Camera and Audio test - these cause most of the problems, but camera and audio are not essential.  Test your equipment now, no need to wait until just before the session to find you have an issue.  Any issues review this checklist.

How to play in these sessions:  read the guide below, run the test, and on the day join the tournament/session by clicking the session link no earlier than 30 minutes before the start.  You don't need to pre-enter.  If you don't have a partner you might be able to organise one if you join the session in good time.

The first time you login, your browser might ask you to authorise oceania.realbridge.online to use your microphone and camera.  You need to click Allow to enable video and sound.  Cannot get it working?  Just log in anyway and there will be someone waiting in the lobby to help.

Guide for players:

• Read the guide
• Test your camera and microphone (these are not essential but the experience is better if you have them).  Don't leave it to the last minute, you can perform this step now.
• You don't need to create a login for RealBridge - you just enter your name and number when you first join a session.
• Any issues review this checklist.
• You don't go the RealBridge site to find the session, you click the link to the trial above.
• The session should be open 30 minutes beforehand. 
• There may be some instructions to read in the lobby.    
• Sit at a table. If you have a partner sit at Tables 1-9.  If you are single sit at a higher numbered table.  You can chat with other people at the table while you wait.

Limited bandwidth

RealBridge requires more bandwidth than BBO. If you have a weak connection you can turn off your camera and/or the incoming video to reduce bandwidth requirements.

What devices does RealBridge run on

RealBridge runs on any laptop, desktop computer or tablet that supports video calling from a web browser.  On Windows PC, Apple macOS or Android tablet you can use any modern browser, such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari. (Note: older versions of Edge and Internet Explorer do not work.)  On an Apple iPad you can use the Safari or Chrome browser.

VPNs: Most VPNs are incompatible with the technology used by RealBridge. Using a VPN will often prevent connections to RealBridge, or interfere with the video.

Internet security software: Some "safe browsing" or ad-blocking extensions can interfere with RealBridge. This may prevent a connection to RealBridge, interfere with video, or cause players to be repeatedly disconnected or moved to the lobby. If you experience this type of problem, try temporarily disabling any extensions of this sort, or to whitelist the RealBridge server (oceania.realbridge.online).

Do I need a camera, webcam or microphone?

RealBridge does not require a webcam to run; you can play without being connected on video or audio calls.  The experience is better with them, however.

SOCIAL ROOM FOR CASUAL BRIDGE

Organise a group of four and play up to 32 hands at your leisure. No time pressure, no director calls.

Cost: $15 for the table. Payable by the person booking the table, from their club account balance, at the time of booking. If you cannot make the day booked, you can transfer to another. Only the person booking needs a club account, either member or visitor casual account. If you do not have an account, please go to the VISITORS menu tab at the top of the page to set one up.

To book a room, simply log into Hello Club (members.akbc.co.nz), click the link on the home page for the day you want. No need to pre-book. You will immediately receive an email with a link to your table to share with your other three playes.

Enjoy!

Announcement About Upcoming Charges

Auckland Bridge Club hopes that you have been enjoying the tournaments on RealBridge. We have been happy to absorb the costs during the initial trial period, and we thank the many players who have made donations over the lockdown.

These sessions are proving popular and to maintain them on a regular basis we will need to commence charging a fee. We have set this fee at $5 per player for a normal session. Charges will commence on Monday 1st of November. If you are a member of Auckland Bridge Club you are already set up. The fees will be deducted from your credit balance. If you are not a club member then we invite you to open a free visitor account on the club's membership system (Hello Club)—many have already done so—and establish a credit balance with your credit or debit card (transaction fees only for international cards). It only takes a minute. Go here for more details https://akbc.co.nz/visitors.

If you have friends that have not tried RealBridge yet please encourage them to do so while there is no charge. You could book a social table for four and help them figure things out at their own pace—email realbridge@akbc.co.nz for more details.

REALBRIDGE SESSION

 

Press the button to join the session:    JOIN THE SESSION  ← Click here

From 1st November, sessions will cost $5^*. You are only charged if you play in the session - so you are free to click the link below to enter the lobby. To play, you will need to be a member or have at least a casual visitors account with a credit balance. Go to the VISITORS tab at the top of the page to create one.

Sign in using your Full Name and NZ Bridge Number. If you don't have a number, use the 7 digit club membership number assigned to you (we can tell you what it is).

 

•The NZ Bridge rules of conduct and play apply.•
Rudeness and discourtesy will not be tolerated.
•You should have working microphone and camera if possible. If you are unable to, your partner must have at least a working microphone.
•We are currently unable to offer masterpoints for these sessions, but hope this will change in the near future.

^* Different rates apply for Youth, Junior, Life Members, and Substitutes; Workshops, Teaching Sessions, and Tournaments.