In this update - Event summary, Registration Opens, More tips.
 
Quick Summary of Actual Event
  • This is a 4 day event. 1 session a day, 24 boards per day.
  • July 23-26 (Sunday-Wednesday)
  • The tournament will appear around 00:30 each day (ie, begins 30 minute past midnight, Eastern Daylight Time), and disappear around 23:59 each day.
  • You can choose to begin your session anytime you like. However, once you begin play, you only have around 4 hours to finish your 24 boards. The time limit is approximately 3 hours + 1 hour allowance for technical issues.
  • Not everyone will play the same set of boards. This is a security measure.
  • This event is Best Hand.
  • This event is Human Declare.
  • This event is scored in MP.
  • Every single board carries equal weight in the final leaderboard computation.
  • There are daily session awards, as well as overall awards.
  • Cost is $50 USD. ($40 if registration completed by July 19)
  • Registration open between July 9-23. 
  • You need to be an ACBL member by July 21 to participate.
 
Registration Opens Sunday July 9!
 
We are drawing closer to D day and will start accepting registrations July 9 (Sunday)! Registration will be accepted until July 23 (Sunday) 8pm EDT, but there is a big incentive to signing up early for your spot - you pay $40 instead of $50 if you confirm by July 19!
ACBL NABC Online Registration
How to register:
  • Log on BBO
  • Enter ACBL World
  • And look for the ACBL NABC Online Individual
  • The cost is BB$40 until July 19, and that amount will be subtracted from your BB$ account.
  • If you don't have sufficient BB$, or if we don't have a valid ACBL number for you, you will receive a prompt to rectify either issues before attempting the registration again.
  • If you don't have sufficient BB$ and want to buy some BB$ now, click here to buy.
  • If you have not given BBO your ACBL number yet, click here to add your ACBL number to your BBO name.
  • Watch this short clip if you need a step-by-step illustrated guide.
"Human Declare" tricks?
 
Players who have been assidiously polishing their craft in the free NABC Practice Tourneys or most of the robot games on BBO will notice these are usually marked "Human Declare". Human Declare means even if North won the contract, South (you, the player) will be declarer. When declaring, keep in mind your own South cards are still the “dummy” cards, exposed to all.
 
There isn’t really any trick to this. Nobody gets to hide behind a superstar declarer partner in “Human Declare” games, but certainly being familiar with how robots “think” in defense certainly helps. The only other advice we can offer is work hard on declarer problems. If you have BB$0.25, rent the Bridge Master 2000 hands and spend some time on them. If you are interested but just can’t swing the BB$0.25, watch for contests in the BBO news. Maybe you'll get lucky!
Playing well with the Robots - the basics
 
The biggest grouse we've seen so far is about how bad the robots are. I am not here to defend the robots, but to share tips assembled over the years from some of our best robot tourney players. Robots have failings, but they also have many strengths. If you choose to ignore the collective wisdom of these experts and insist on playing your way because it is purer bridge, good for you...and you probably will not enjoy this event!
 
  • Robots are going to play 2/1. It doesn’t matter what you bid, they currently only understand 2/1 and a known set of conventions.
Robot System Notes
  • A fairly detailed explanation and convention card can be found here.
  • Always remember to find out the meaning of partner's bids, and of your bids before you make them. You can do that by passing the mouse pointer over the bid.
  • HCP vs TP. This is something even experienced players may not have noticed. The robots on BBO use both HCP and TP to simulate.
    • HCP everyone here knows. A=4, K=3, Q=2, J=1.
    • TP concept: +3 for void, +2 for singleton, +1 for doubleton, -1 for short suit containing an honor. The robots will start with HCP, then adjust it with this TP concept to end with the TP of the hand.
  • And then based on TP, it takes action, like forcing to game or pass. 
  • Robot usually leads passively vs NT contracts. Do not assume it is leading 4th best when defending a NT contract. Similarly, when you make a lead in a NT contract,it will often not assume you led from length, and may not return your suit at the next opportunity like a human usually does.
Final Words:
In the coming days we'll share some advanced techniques to use when playing with robots, especially in the Best Hand type events. We will also be announcing the final practice sessions. If you have missed any of the practice sessions or just want more practice, pretty much any of the Robot Duplicate or Daylong tournaments will help prepare you adequately. Till then,
 
May the Declarer Force be with you!
 
Stay tuned for more information in the coming days. Feedback, comments, questions welcome in the BBO forums.

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