Instructions for Joining a Virtual Club Game
Login to BBO (bridgebase.com) within two hours of the start of the game. Purchase BB$ if you don't have some already, using the blue button with the shopping cart. From the BBO homescreen click "Virtual Clubs". (If you do not see "virtual Clubs", you may need to click on "Competitive" first.)
Scroll to the bottom of the region listing and select "All Clubs". Then locate our game - you can type Grand River into the search box to help find it quickly.
Click on our game to enter the registration area. The registration area lets you invite your partner. Make sure they are online, enter their BBO name, and click "Invite". A fleeting message will appear shortly to show if the invitation was successful. If you are blocked from entering, click on "VACB129866" on the left and ask the director for help. You can click on the "Entries" tab at the top to see all the players who are registered to play in this game. Please register for the game 15 minutes ahead or more.
If you do not have a partner, you may use an area inside the tournament registration labelled "Partnership Desk". It shows a list of people looking for a partner. You can click to invite one of them or you can put your name on the list and wait to see if you are invited to play. GRBC cannot guarantee that you will obtain a partner and be able to play.
Once registered, just wait for the game to begin. Internet disconnects sometimes happen and everyone is aware of this, so if you are disconnected during the tournament, please just log in again as soon as possible. Usually you will be able to get right back on, and the software will take you back to the table.
Each round of boards is timed. When the clock (in the upper left) hits zero, the round immediately ends. The director will decide the score of unfinished boards. When you complete the last board in a round, you may need to wait for other tables to finish. Your table will appear frozen as the clock counts down the minutes remaining. When everyone is finished, you will immediately go on to the next set of boards, even if the clock shows time still remaining.
Everyone is welcome to play in the open sanctioned games on BBO, even if they do not have an ACBL number. However to win master points and to play in the restricted level games, you must have a valid ACBL number.