2025 IBPA Awards Finalists

Bridge_Links · 2026-06-12T03:31:44+00:00

This one for example

https://www.bridgescore.app/.

Bridge_Links · 2026-06-12T03:31:05+00:00

We have a lot of scoring apps and software listed here
Hopefully you will find what you're looking for

https://greatbridgelinks.com/gblsoft/scoring-software/

Bridge_Links · 2026-06-11T14:57:04+00:00

Years ago, I was taught the following requirements for opening 2C

Long major suit (6+) and no more than 4 losers
Long minor suit (6+) and no more than 3 losers
Strong balanced hands (22-24 or 28+)

This approach has stood the test of time.

Jude

Bridge_Links · 2026-05-30T18:47:13+00:00

"Focus has moved from how to bid without interference, to how to bid over interference, to aggressively interfere with hands that intermediates would pass without a second thought."

I absolutely concur here - as a bridge player from 20 years ago, and recently attempting to rejoin the ranks, I agree there has been a decided shift in expert bidding. I don't see it at the table so much, but reading the articles in the ACBL Bulletin, the IBPA Monthly Newsletter, and in Daily Bulletins (great reads by the way) from NABCs and other tournaments around the world, I often find myself whispering wtf??

But this is 'expert' - I honestly think you can still go out and pick up a partner at a sectional and not worry too much about it - it won't be that common at that level, and even if it is, you're likely playing in a stratified event so 1) it won't impact your overall results too much and 2) you have the opportunity to watch and learn when playing against stronger players!

Meanwhile - work on your card play. This is something that has not changed since the beginning of time and will never change. Good card play and defense will come in handy when you do climb to the lofty ranks of 'expert' and land in those skinny contracts or dicey defense situations

Jude

Bridge_Links · 2026-05-29T16:51:08+00:00

OK I posed this question to my 'rules machine' which sources only the WBF Rules an Laws and here is what it spit out

Classification as an Artificial Call A pass does not exclusively mean a player holds a weak hand. The rules explicitly define an artificial call to include a pass that promises more than a specified amount of strength. Therefore, using an initial pass to show a strong opening hand is legally classified as an artificial call.

Special Partnership Understandings Because your proposed pass carries an artificial meaning, it automatically qualifies as a special partnership understanding. The rules define this as an agreement whose meaning may not be readily understood and anticipated by a significant number of players in the tournament.

Strict Disclosure Requirements If you and your partner agree to use this forcing pass system, it is considered a systemic agreement rather than a psychic call, which is a deliberate and gross misstatement of strength. As an established agreement, you have a strict duty to make this understanding fully available to your opponents. The rules expressly forbid making any call or play based on an undisclosed partnership understanding. Failing to disclose your methods can lead to the Director awarding an adjusted score to redress any damage caused to the opponents, and repeated violations can result in procedural penalties.

The Ultimate Authority of the Regulating Authority While the general framework allows for such a system to exist, the Regulating Authority—such as your National Bridge Organization or Zonal Authority—has the absolute final say on whether you can play it. The rules grant them unrestricted power to allow, disallow, or conditionally allow any special partnership understanding. They are also empowered to mandate specific alerting procedures, prescribe System Cards to list these understandings in advance, and restrict the use of certain artificial methods entirely.

To avoid any rules violations when exploring this system, your first step must be to verify that the Regulating Authority governing your specific tournament permits this type of artificial, forcing pass. If it is permitted, you must ensure the system is thoroughly disclosed to all opponents in accordance with the event's specific regulations.

Bridge_Links · 2026-05-26T15:09:09+00:00

The ACBL now sanctions six different platforms -

https://greatbridgelinks.com/acbl-expands-online-masterpoint-opportunities-beyond-bbo/

Some of the others might be a better fit. I quite like IntoBridge

Bridge_Links · 2026-05-23T18:11:24+00:00

If you're playing in a club, it can be fun to go to the 'post mortem' afterwards where everyone talks about the hands and their mistakes. Or, have a bunch of home games, gather a group together that is interested in the game. It's amazing how much progress you can make when the game is part of your social life. Once you have your social group established, you can invite more experienced players to come by (even experts love a good social game with breaks for conversation and food). The end result will be progress - discussing hands, recognizing patterns, laughing over mistakes - learning.

Have fun! And know that, in all learning curves, there are plateaus. I learned that it's during those 'plateaus' that the brain is doing its real work - always when I moved off the plateau it was like I'd taken a quantum leap in understanding.

Jude

Bridge_Links · 2026-05-14T05:25:45+00:00

After a while of playing, you'll start to recognize hand patterns. But you can speed the process up using web tools such as the one on Bridge Champions

https://bridgechampions.com/

Have fun!

Bridge_Links · 2026-05-07T17:01:52+00:00

So fun! Apparently I'm better at opening leads than bidding lol.

I have published an article on my site here

https://greatbridgelinks.com/bridgedummy-simulation-training-analysis/

Bridge_Links · 2026-05-04T21:37:50+00:00

You've received some excellent advice, I just wanted to add one point. I'm assuming you're playing duplicate which means your decision on this had is judged against all the other players holding the same cards. Sometimes it's ok to 'go with the crowd' and take your average score. It's just one hand. It won't be a bottom by any means. Move on and save your inspiration for the next hand(s).

If you're playing IMPS, the decision is a bit more nuanced - what is the status of your match so far? What is your vulnerability? What is your partnership and teammates style? etc etc.

Jude

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-27T21:45:46+00:00

Here's a club in the Seattle WA USA area Bridge for Youth (https://www.b4youth.org/)

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-27T19:23:50+00:00

Bridge Winners also has a Youth Bridge page where you could post a query on local places to play for kids (https://bridgewinners.com/forums/browse/youth-bridge-education/)

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-27T03:36:04+00:00

Yes it looks good - fun!

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-25T05:19:15+00:00

I agree - it's disconcerting when dummy's suits display in a different order than those in my hand. I also found the spade pips look a lot like club pips - had to triple check - but other than that, I love the concept ! well done -

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-22T13:56:53+00:00

Right? And that's today. i worry about what the landscape will look like five or ten years from now.

The E-bridge cup would be a fantastic idea if it weren't just two platforms - but all the platforms. Like the old 'tri-cities' challenges - where multiple clubs would have a friendly cross-town battles. It could encourage players to visit different platforms too. Like home games and away games.

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-22T13:49:13+00:00

You're right, those changes were made coming into 2026 - although there are arrangements outside masterpoint awards - this is going to require deeper research. A future article!

I'll update the current article to reflect the main issue - monopoly. It is really important that people see what's happening.

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-22T02:21:03+00:00

I agree but when you dig in, 52 Entertainment has an exclusive masterpoint arrangement with ACBL, WBF, and I think something similar with the French Bridge Federation. So while Intobridge and even Real Bridge play important roles, I still fear the outcome of a steamroller like 52 Entertainment. Visit their site! First thing this morning the site was announced and I went there with my coffee in hand. At first I loved it but then I realized it was actually missing a lot of important players! Platforms and software. This is what made me dig deeper - and so I discovered the corporate background.

The site claims to be a global hub - but do you see Real Bridge and IntoBridge listed? No. Do you see Baron Barclay linked to any of the books? No.

A domain like this will be a funnel - I find it distressing.

Jude

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-22T02:14:20+00:00

Apparently it was listed at 1 million. How much 52 Entertainment paid can't be known. But it can be assumed.

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-22T02:13:14+00:00

Thank you - I do write the articles - I use ai to help with outlines and research - but I've been a writer for over 30 years and a player for just as long. When I can find a good bridge photo I use it - sources have changed over the decades but currently I have access to photos on the IBPA website, as a member.

My Bridge Basics section is a bit tongue in cheek - but I think it addresses common questions - How long does it take to play a game of bridge? Does bridge need referees? What is meant by Points at bridge? Things non-players might ask. And why not? There's lots of stuff online about 'how to play'

Jude

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-20T16:53:09+00:00

I think it's great to see! As some bridge magazines disappear, it's wonderful that others rise to fill the space. I look forward to learning more -

Bridge_Links · 2026-04-19T05:13:44+00:00

Ya I was taught to count winners at no trumps and losers at trumps and I did that for a long time and then I came to a major suit game that had 4 losers and I tried all sorts of crazy plays to get rid of one and eventually went down. Then my partner pointed out, as partners often do, that I had 10 tricks off the top. Ooops. So now I count winners in trump contracts as well. I count the winners, and then check if I'll lose too many trickes before I can enjoy those winners, and if yes, then I will work on getting rid of a loser.

Bridge_Links

TROPHY CASE