PIPS IS NOW ONLINE
Our first game will be this Thursday, (April 16) at 12:35 pm. You can register for the game anytime after 10:35 am on that day. The ACBL has sent us the BBO username’s of everyone who has played at PIPS in the past year — so if you are a member of BBO, you are all set to go.
You can register up to two hours in advance — or right before the game starts. Please note that the game will start promptly at 12:35 pm, so be sure you and your partner are both logged in and ready to play at that time. If you are not seated when the game starts, you won’t be able to play. That’s true even if you registered early, but left your computer to do something else and didn’t get back on time.
We will play 18 boards, 7 minutes per board. The rounds are timed by the BBO system.
If you don’t finish the last board on time, it will disappear from your screen and the director will determine your result.
You need a partner to play. No robots are allowed in ACBL games. If your regular partner can’t play, or cancels at the last minute, there is a Partnership Desk that you can go to once you’ve clicked on the PIPS game. The Partnership Desk will also be open two hours before game time.
To join the game:
● You both must be logged in to BBO
● The easiest way to find the PIPS game is from the BBO Home Screen
Under Featured Area, click on:
Virtual Clubs and then click on
ACBL Virtual Clubs
Notice in the top right corner of your screen, there is a Search box — type PIPS in that box and then locate and click on
VACB261164 #xxxx Pairs PIPS SF- 12:35 pm
(note: the number in front of ‘Pairs’ will change each week)
●A popup will appear to allow you to "invite" your partner; you need his/her BBO username. Once the invitation is accepted, you just need to wait and your bidding/play screen will pop up at the start of the game
Table fee is $6 per person. You and/or your partner should make sure you have enough BB$ in your account.
Unlike other tournaments, you self-alert your bids. Before you make your bid, click on the Alert button. If anyone wants to ask, a popup will appear that says “explain.” Type your explanation there. Don’t use the chat box at the bottom of the screen. You and the opponents can see your self-alert, but your partner cannot. To ask about an opponent’s alert, click on the alerted bid.
The chat box is the only way to say hello to your opponents, or to ask and respond to questions about bids or carding.
For the time being, PIPS will start with just one Open Stratified game. Once we are up and running for a while, we will add an Intermediate/Novice game — most likely a 199’er game. Let me know if you‘d prefer a 99’er or 299’er game instead of a 199’er game. I’d also like your opinion about the time of the game: would you prefer something a little earlier or later than 12:35?
If you have any questions or comments, contact us at < [email protected] >
Stay well. I’ll look forward to seeing you online.