When you want to play bridge on OKweb — connect to the Internet and go to the OKbridge website at www.okbridge.com. OKbridge members are taken to the Member's Club page, as shown in the sample screen below.

Once in the Member's Club, you can log in to OKweb by clicking the Click Here to Play Bridge button.

When you first arrive at OKweb, you are a LURKER in the LOBBY. TABLES are set up by individuals who want to HOST (or SERVE) the table. These people are the table SERVERS, who get to control the scoring and seating. The TABLE NAME bears the server's name. Other people join a table, and when there are four people seated at a table, the computer automatically deals hands.

In the left-top portion of the screen, you will see a display of tables with open seats that you may join. This is the Suggested Tables display which is based on the playing level you provided in the sign-up process.

You can find out information about any of the suggested tables by clicking once on the table that interests you. Then you will see detailed information about that table in the panel on the bottom left of the screen.

For the table information shown in the example above,

"nikafl" is the login name of the person who is hosting (called serving) the table.

IMP means he wants to play international matchpoints.

3 players are at the table already: nikafl, pamen; and s_bala

"friendly game 48+ sayc" is what nikafl wrote when he set up the table.

Click on the table you're interested in to show its details in the lower left corner of the screen. You can join a table as an observer in two ways:

• Click the "Watch this Table" button

• Or double-click on the table.

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

When you first join a table, you are an OBSERVER. As an observer, you can talk to the players and see dummy, but you are not seated.

As a PLAYER, you are seated at the table and are actually playing cards.

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 tell the players what everyone holds).

You know you have joined the table when you see a duplicate tray in the center of your screen.

The chat area is in the bottom-right corner of the page.

The chat area displays the current messages people are sending in your location.

To send a message, type your message in the chat bar.

To send a message to everyone at your location — click the circle to the left of the word Everyone before send your message.

To send a message to your opponents — click the circle to the left of the word Opponents before you send your message.

To send a private message — click the circle to the left of the recipient bar and type the addressee's name in the recipient bar (or just click on the person's picture or name) before you send your message.

First ask for a seat

If you want to play bridge at a table being served by someone else, it is polite to ask if a seat is vacant before taking it. If there are two or more empty seats, it is best to try to arrange a partnership before jumping into one of the empty seats.

Take a seat using one of two ways

• On the Suggested Tables page, click on "Sit Here" at a seat position in the table information area.

• Or, if you already joined the table as an observer, click on an empty seat.

When there are four people seated at a table, the computer automatically deals cards. Hands will continue to be dealt until someone leaves their seat.

You will see the bidding box only when it is your turn to bid.

The amber arrow in the center of the screen will indicate whose turn it is to bid — vulnerability is shown on the duplicate tray and in the player's nametags.

To choose a bid, click on the up or down arrow on the left side of the bidding box. Once your bid is displayed, click on the "Bid" button.

If your bid is alertable, click in the "Explain" window, type in an explanation of the bid, and then click the "Bid" button. Your opponents and any spectators will see the explanation.

The Bidding History will display a record of the bidding in the bottom left corner of the screen until the completion of the first trick.

The amber arrow in the center of the screen will indicate whose turn it is to play. To play a card, double-click on it — the card will be moved to the center of the table.

To see all four hands when you are the dummy, click in the box next to "Show All Hands". You will be returned to your seat when the hand is completed.

At the end of each hand, the results will show in the lower middle portion of your screen. You can also review a hand or board's results by clicking on the "Hand Review" icon in the upper right-hand panel.

Always remember that we are here to help you enjoy OKbridge.

Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us if you have any more questions.

Send an email to
help@okbridge.com

or call us at 1-888-652-7434
(858-490-6770 for international callers).

Our Member Services Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Refer back to these tutorials at any time from the Help section of our website.