Hints on how to play OKbridge

OKbridge Customer Support guesthelp at OKbridge.com
Fri Jun 9 15:56:31 GMT 2000


Dear OKbridge Guest,
Welcome to Our Club!!!

Here are some instructions on how to get started using OKbridge for
your 30-day trial.

You may also get more help within the OKwin program (free OKbridge
software that you download from our web site to your computer).  Once
you have the software on your computer, open the Okwin program by
clicking on its icon (or select "Start", "Programs", and then select
"Okwin".)  Go to Help, then click on Contents, then click on Contents
again and click on a topic.


START-UP INSTRUCTIONS

This document will explain everything you need to know to begin
playing OKbridge.  If you ever have any questions or problems, please
email help at okbridge.com or call 858-490-6770.

1. HOW DO I GET READY TO PLAY? 

Before you play, you will need to: 

  a. Have your login ID and password handy (you selected these when
     you set up your OKbridge account).

  b. Connect to the Internet (if you're using Windows, minimize your
     Internet screen, by clicking on the little dash box or downward arrow
     in the upper right corner).

  c. Start the OKwin program (either click on the OKwin icon, or select
     Program Manager and click on Okwin, or select "Start" and then
     "Programs" and then "OKbridge" and then "Okwin").  Type in your login
     ID and password when prompted.

2.  WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I LOG IN? 

When you first log in, you are a LURKER in the LOBBY. You can talk
with others in the lobby by typing your comments and pressing Enter
(see question 6 below for more information about talking to others).

When you log in, you should see a long list of TABLES and players. (If
not, click on Location, Tables.) Tables are set up by individuals who
want to control the scoring, seating, etc.  (Other people join these
individuals; see question 3 below on how to join a table.)

Each line on the tables-and-players list denotes one table, for example,

Joe     MP-guest     3     Advanced Players Please

This shows that "Joe" is the person who is hosting, or "serving" the
table. "MP" means he wants to play Matchpoints, and the guest suffix
indicates he is a guest. You will be able to tell which tables are for
guests because they will have this suffix; they will also be of a
different color than members' tables. Guests are limited to play with
other guests. "3" means there are 3 people there already. For example,
"5" would indicate four players and a kibitzer. The last note,
"Advanced Players Please," is a personal note Joe has put up.

(If you are brand new to the game, don't try to serve your own table
just yet.)

3. HOW DO I JOIN A TABLE? 

If you click on a table once, it will be highlighted and the people at
that table will be shown on the far right side of your screen. To join
a table, double-click on it. You will know you have joined the table
when you see a duplicate tray in the center of your screen.

There are three types of people at a table -- OBSERVERS, PLAYERS and
SPECTATORS.

When you first join a table, you are an OBSERVER. Type "Hi" on your
keyboard and hit enter to talk (see question 6 below for more
information on how to talk to others).

As an observer, you can talk to the players (and see dummy at the end
of the auction, but you are not seated, nor are you kibitzing).

(More on players and spectators below.)

4. HOW DO I WATCH ACTUAL PLAY? 

Join a table (double-click on it) that has at least four people. 

Once you've joined a table, click on "Location" from menu at top of
your screen, then "Show All Hands". You are now a SPECTATOR.  As a
spectator, you are looking at all four hands as they are being played,
but you can only talk to other spectators (otherwise you could just
tell the players what everyone holds).  (For information on how to
talk to others, see question 6 below.)

To leave spectator mode, click on Location, Conceal All Hands. You
will become an observer at the table at the end of the current hand.

5. HOW DO I PLAY! 

As a PLAYER, you are seated at the table and are actually playing
cards (you see your hand and dummy at end of auction).

As an observer who wants to become a player when a seat has become
available . . .  
  It is good manners to type "Hi" (then hit enter), and
  ask the table server if you may sit.  (See question 6 below for more
  on how to talk to others.)

As a spectator who wants to become a player when a seat has become 
available . . .
  Click on Location, Conceal All Hands to become an observer at the
  table at the end of the current hand.  Then type "Hi" and ask the
  table server if you may sit.  (or you can Click on Location, Return to
  Lobby to become a lurker. Then rejoin the table by double-clicking on
  the table, and ask the table server if you may sit.)

If there is an open seat available, click on Location. You will see
four seating options -- Sit North, Sit East, Sit South, and Sit
West. Click on one of the empty chairs to sit down.

Cards are dealt by the computer automatically when four players are
seated.  Cards will continue to be dealt until someone leaves their seat.

Vulnerability is shown on the duplicate tray, and a bidding box will
appear when it is your turn to bid ONLY. To bid, click on the bid you
want to make and then click on the "OK" button (explanations can be
typed in as well).

To review the bidding, click on Playing, Review the Bidding. 

When it's time to play the hand, doubleclick on the card you want to
play (or drag and drop it).

Note that declarer plays the dummy. If you are dummy and you want to
kibitz, click on Location, Show All Hands.  When the hand is over, you
will be returned to your seat.

At the end of each hand, a Results Browser will pop up on your
screen. You can use it to look at your results and the results from
other tables.

6. HOW DO I TALK TO OTHERS? 

To talk, start typing the message you want to send. It will
automatically appear in a box at the top of your screen. To send it,
hit the Enter key on your keyboard or click on "Send". Messages appear
in a MESSAGE BOX at the top of your screen. Please, remember that
everyone on OKbridge just wants to have fun. Rudeness, insults, and
the like are grounds for losing your account. Even if your partner is
unequivocally the worst player you've ever encountered, please try to
behave with civility.

7. HOW DO I LEAVE A TABLE? 

If you are already at one table and want to join another one, click on
Location, Table, and then click on the table you want to join.

If you are at a table and wish to return to the lobby, click on
Location, Return to Lobby.

8. HOW DO PEOPLE AGREE ON WHAT CONVENTIONS TO PLAY? 

When you sit down opposite a pickup partner, you can discuss what
system/gadgets to use.

OKbridge has two default convention cards that come with the
program. If you sit down, click on Playing, then Convention Card, and
then Load from File.  You will see "sayc.ok" (Standard American Yellow
Card) and "2/1.ok." You can load one of those up to look at it and use
it.

The majority of OKbridge players are (or think they are) familiar with
sayc. If you would like a complete description of this card or the 2/1
card, click on "Web Links" and select the sayc or 2/1 link.  You can
also send e-mail to help at okbridge.com for a summary of either
convention card.

The most common gadgets are also explained under Web Links, Conventions.

9. HOW DO I MAKE MY OWN CONVENTION CARD WITH MY FAVORITE 
BELLS AND WHISTLES? 

Click on Playing, Convention Card, New. Fill out your card and then
save it. Note that it needs to have a ".ok" suffix, so save it as
mycard.ok, precision.ok, etc. Now you can load it anytime you play.

10. WHAT IS A PING? 

A ping is a measure of the time it takes for a packet of data to reach
someone else, and vice versa. A good ping is under 3 seconds. When you
are at a table and want to test everyone's pings, click on Playing,
Test Connections.

If your connection is slow, please send us e-mail so we can check it
out. Most connection problems are due to Internet congestion unrelated
to our server.

11. HOW DOES THE ALERT SYSTEM ON OKBRIDGE WORK? 

Most people "self-alert" on OKbridge. The next time you see your
bidding box, note that there are actually two "OK" buttons -- one that
says "OK" and one that says "OK+alert."

If you make a bid and click the "OK+alert" button, your bid will be
alerted to your opponents but NOT to your partner. This prevents
unauthorized information from being relayed when there is a
misunderstanding.

12. I CLICKED ON THE WRONG CARD/BID. WHAT DO I DO? 

IMMEDIATELY type "UNDO." Your LHO can then click on Playing, Undo.
However, your opponents have the right to refuse an undo request. Undo
requests should only be made for genuine accidents.

13. OK, I'M READY TO SERVE A TABLE. WHAT DO I DO? 

Click on Serving, then Serve a Table. Put whatever you want in the
Note box, like "Advanced" or "Beginner" or "Need 3". You will be
presented with a number of options to set. If you are new to serving a
table, be content to create a note and decide what form of scoring to use.

14. HOW DO I CLAIM? 

Click on Playing, Claim. Defenders cannot claim. (Sorry!) 

15. SOMEONE WAS RUDE TO ME AND/OR UNETHICAL. WHAT CAN I DO? 

Please send email to protest at okbridge.com. We reserve the right to
refund anyone whose behavior we find unacceptable.

16. HOW DO I ADD PERSONAL INFO ONTO MY STATS? 

Click on File, Account, Edit Your Stats. You can enter your real name
and other personal info here if you want. This enables anyone who
clicks on Browse, Player Info to see whatever you've typed in.  You
can also doubleclick on a person's name to review another player's
information.

17. HOW DO I QUIT THE GAME? 

If you are a player, it is protocol to say goodbye before you
leave. Click on File, Exit.

18. HOW DO I SIGN UP AS A MEMBER? 

Please go to http://www.okbridge.com/conditions.mhtml OR email
register at okbridge.com OR call 858-490-6770.

19. I HAVE A SPECIFIC OR COMPLICATED QUESTION THAT YOU HAVEN'T 
COVERED. 

Please send email to help at okbridge.com or call us at (858) 490-6770, 
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST every day including most major holidays.  Please do
not hesitate to call or e-mail us if you have any questions.



More information about the samba-technical mailing list