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6/10/00 edition of this review
© Copyright 2000, Jim Loy -
Copy & distribute this all you want
Note: These are programs that you can play against. The ACBL (http://www.acbl.org) lists services on the Internet which allow you to play other human beings over the Internet. Some of the programs here allow network/modem play. I have not tested these features. If you are interested in this, contact the developers for details.
PROGRAM FEATURES
====================================================================
GIB
Just Write, Inc., 29585 Fox Hollow Rd., Eugene, OR 97405
http://www.gibware.com
email: sales@gibware.com
Comment: 10 different languages
Some consider this the strongest program
It is very slow on my 200 MHz Pentium
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 46
rebid yes
explain bids yes
systems SA, Acol, 2/1 GF, K-S
aggressiveness no
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes & AP
peeks (cheats) no (unless you ask it to)
signals yes
skill levels many
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal yes
deal types many
DOS/Windows Win. or Linux CD (133+ MHz Pentium)
disk space (MB) 20.0
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes
scoring methods rub./dup./IMPs/Chicago
modem/network no
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version no
price $79.95
upgrades no
demo no
Ease of use good
speed slow
graphics good
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Bridge Baron 9.01.02
Great Game Products Inc., 8804 Chalon Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817
phone: 1-800-GAMES-4-U
http://www.bridgebaron.com
email: brbaron@erols.com
Comments: Tutorial - Blackwood Bridge Challenges.
You can compete in weekly worldwide tournaments.
Free patch corrects problems in 9.00.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 12
rebid yes
explain bids yes (auction interpretation, estimates each
player's HCP, interactive bidding
flowcharts, estimates how other
contracts would do)
systems 5CM, 2/1, Acol
aggressiveness yes
talks no (says hello, good bye, and gives hints)
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes (must rebid)
claim/concede yes & AP
peeks (cheats) no (unless you ask it to)
signals yes
skill levels 7
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal yes
deal types vast
DOS/Windows DOS/Win.CD
disk space (MB) 1.9
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes (pairs & team matches)
scoring methods rub./dup./Chicago
modem/network yes
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version yes
price $59.95
demo free ($29.95 by mail)
upgrades no
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Q-plus Bridge v.5.5
Q-plus Software, Belfortstrasse 10, D-81667 Munich, Germany
email: q_plus_sw@compuserve.com
http://www.q-plus.com
USA & Canada: ACBL or Baron Barclay
Comment: English/French/German
P-plus Bridge for the Psion Series 5, using its touch screen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback no
conventions 120+
rebid yes
explain bids yes (You can explain your bids to the computer)
systems Acol, SA, Kaplan-Sheinwold, Precision, Schenken
aggressiveness no
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes & AP (does not confirm claim)
peeks (cheats) no (unless you want it to)
signals yes
skill levels many
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal Yes
deal types vast
DOS/Windows Win.CD
disk space (MB) 4.0
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes
scoring methods rub./pairs/teams
modem/network no
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version no
price $60
upgrades no
demo yes
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Micro Bridge 8.06
Tomio Uchida, 2-1-7 Mizonuma, Asaka City, Saitama, JAPAN 351
email: mcbridge@tky.3web.ne.jp
http://www.threeweb.ad.jp/~mcbridge
USA & Canada: ACBL & Baron Barclay
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 52 (& define your own conventions)
rebid yes
explain bids yes
systems 4&5CM, 2/1 GF, Acol, Japan Standard (& define
your own systems)
aggressiveness yes
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes & AP (program also claims)
peeks (cheats) no (peeks at lowest skill level)
signals yes
skill levels 10
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes (up to 10 deals)
print deal yes
deal types vast
DOS/Windows Win.3.1/95/98 CD
disk space (MB) 15.0
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes (pairs & team matches)
scoring methods dup.
modem/network yes
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version no
price $70
upgrades to ver. 8.06 free
demo yes
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Bridge Buff 7.0
BridgeWare, PO Box 65077, 358 Danforth Ave., Toronto, Ont. M4K 3Z2 CANADA
phone: 1-800-WEAK-1NT
http://www.bridgebuff.com
email: bbuff@bridgebuff.com
Comments: Includes tutorials
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 30+ (+ several non-optional conventions)
Note: Use System Builder to define your own systems and conventions.
rebid yes
explain bids yes (Explains each bid & estimates how other
contracts would do)
systems 5CM, 2/1, K-S
Note: Use System Builder to define your own systems and conventions.
aggressiveness yes
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes (does not verify claim)
peeks (cheats) no (unless you ask it to)
signals yes
skill levels 3
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal yes
deal types vast
DOS/Windows Win.CD
disk space (MB) 2.0
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes
scoring methods dup./team.
modem/network no
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version no
price $99.95
upgrades $59.95
demo yes
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Saitek Pro Bridge 510
Saitek Ltd, 12/F,414 Kwun Tong Rd., Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
Baron Barclay, 3600 Chamberlain Lane, Suite 230, Louisville, KY 40241
http://www.iglou.com/baronbarclay/
email: bbarclay@iglou.com
Comment: Stand alone, laptop computer, liquid crystal display.
Pro Bridge 310 can be used as a plug-in terminal.
English or French.
Use an AC adapter, as it drains batteries.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 16
rebid yes
explain bids no
systems 4&5CM, Acol, Precision, French 5CM
aggressiveness no
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes (step through tricks)
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes & AP
peeks (cheats) no (does if you want it to)
signals yes?
skill levels 10
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal no
deal types no
DOS/Windows no
disk space (MB) 0
human W/N/E? yes
closed room no
scoring methods rub./team
modem/network no
user manual yes
help no
Mac version no
price $349.00
upgrades no
demo no
Ease of use ok
speed slow
graphics ok
basic features 9/10 (cannot print a hand)
====================================================================
Endless Bridge 4.1
IPBM, 544 Alfreton Rd.,Nottingham, NG7 5LX, UK
email: ipbm@btinternet.com
Comment: English version of Eindeloos Bridge.
Copy protection - Must have original diskette in drive.
Eindeloos Bridge 6 is a newer Windows CD with more features
from Bridgesoft, Kapelstraat 40, 1404 HZ Bussum, NETHERLANDS
http://www.bridgesoft.com
email: info@bridgesoft.com
Language = Dutch, price = 149 DFl
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback no
conventions 9
rebid yes
explain bids yes
systems Acol, 5CM
aggressiveness no
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede no
peeks (cheats) yes
signals yes (first trick only)
skill levels 1
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal yes
deal types vast
DOS/Windows DOS
disk space (MB) 2.1
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes
scoring methods rub./dup./tournament
modem/network no
user manual yes
help no (extensive manual instead)
Mac version no
price 65 UKP ($110)
upgrades no
demo no
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 9/10 (cannot takeback bid without rebidding hand)
====================================================================
Meadowlark Bridge 1.36
Meadowlark Software, P.O. Box 5166, Fargo, ND 58105-5166
email: meadowlark@rrnet.com
http://rrnet.com/meadowlark
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 50+
rebid yes
explain bids yes
systems 5CM, 2/1 GF, Kaplan-Sheinwold, Yellow Card,
Simple
aggressiveness yes
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes
peeks (cheats) no (unless you ask it to)
signals yes
skill levels 3 (3 bidding and 3 playing levels)
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes (not for randomly dealt rubber hands)
print deal yes (prints bid and alert explanations,
and lists all conventions of both
partnerships)
deal types vast
DOS/Windows Win.
disk space (MB) 4.1
human W/N/E? no
closed room yes (tournaments)
scoring methods rub./tournament
modem/network no
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version no
price $59.95
upgrade $10
demo yes (3 24-hand tourneys)
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Blue Chip Bridge 3.0.0
Blue Chip Bridge Ltd., P.O. Box 167, Waltham Cross, EN7 5GB, ENGLAND
http://www.bluechipbridge.co.uk
Comments: Includes tutorials
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 13 (& define your own conventions)
rebid yes
explain bids yes
systems Acol, 5CM (you can define other systems with difficulty)
aggressiveness no
talks yes
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede AP
peeks (cheats) no (unless you ask it to)
signals yes
skill levels many
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal yes
deal types vast
DOS/Windows Win95
disk space (MB) 2.7
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes
scoring methods rub./team
modem/network no
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version no
price 65 UKP
upgrades free minor upgrades (Not from v. 2 to v. 3, but should have free
upgrades from v. 3 to later versions of v. 3)
demo yes
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Bicycle Bridge
Expert Software, 800 Douglas Rd., Coral Gables, FL 33134
Http://www.expertsoftware.com
email: support@expertsoftware.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 7
rebid yes
explain bids no
systems SA
aggressiveness no
talks yes
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes
peeks (cheats) no
signals yes
skill levels 1
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal no
deal types Specify who gets the best hand
DOS/Windows Win 3.1 & Win95 on same CD
disk space (MB) 30
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes
scoring methods rub./dup.
modem/network yes
user manual no
help minimal
Mac version no
price $14.99
upgrades no
demo no
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 9/10 (cannot print deal)
====================================================================
Oxford Bridge 5.1 (version 4 for DOS)
Thinking Games, Cedar Lodge, The Crescent, Pattishall, Northants NN12 8NA
ENGLAND
email: ob@thinkgam.demon.co.uk
http://www.thinkgam.demon.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes (with explanations)
takeback yes
conventions 25 (& define your own conventions)
rebid yes
explain bids yes
systems Acol, SA, European 5CM
aggressiveness yes
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes (program also claims)
peeks (cheats) no (unless you ask it to)
signals yes
skill levels many
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve Yes
print deal yes
deal types vast
DOS/Windows DOS diskette/Win.CD or diskette
disk space (MB) 5
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes
scoring methods rub./dup./team/Chicago
modem/network yes
user manual yes (very extensive in place of help messages)
help no
Mac version no
price Win. 65 UKP, DOS 40 UKP
upgrades 25 UKP to 50 UKP (depends on which version you have)
demo yes
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good (DOS version = text with boxes & suit symbols)
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Bridge Master Class II with Omar Sharif
Oxford Softworks, Stonefield House, 198 The Hill, Burford,
Oxford, OX18 4HX, ENGLAND
http://www.oxford-softworks.com
email: contact@oxford-softworks.com
Comments: CD has lectures by Omar Sharif
English & French versions
Their 10 Intelligent Strategy Games also includes Basic Bridge
I have only see the old version
Free patch corrects problems
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 25
rebid yes
explain bids yes
systems 5CM, Acol, SA
aggressiveness no
talks yes
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes
peeks (cheats) no
signals yes
skill levels 1
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal yes
deal types many
DOS/Windows DOS CD
disk space (MB) 9.7
human W/N/E? yes
closed room no
scoring methods rub.
modem/network yes
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version no
price 39.95 UKP
upgrades no
demo no
Ease of use good
speed ok
graphics fancy
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Bridge Deluxe II with Omar Sharif
Interplay Productions, 17922 Fitch Ave., Irvine, CA 92714
email: orderdesk@interplay.com
http://www.interplay.com
Comments: They have patches for older programs
Mac version is Bridge Deluxe with Omar Sharif, from MacPlay
(same address as Interplay)
CD has lectures by Omar Sharif
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 25 (both partnerships must use the same
conventions)
rebid yes
explain bids yes
systems 5CM
aggressiveness no
talks yes
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes (also claims without showing its hand)
peeks (cheats) no
signals yes
skill levels 1
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal yes
deal types many
DOS/Windows DOS CD
disk space (MB) 9.7
human W/N/E? yes
closed room no
scoring methods rub.
modem/network yes
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version yes
price $9.95
upgrades no
demo no
Ease of use good
speed ok
graphics fancy
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Bridge Mate 3
Bridge Mate, 6374 Chinook Dr., Clinton, WA 98236
email: bobr@whidbey.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 237+
rebid yes
explain bids yes
systems SA, 2/1 GF, Goren, K-S, Precision
aggressiveness no
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes (must rebid)
claim/concede AP
peeks (cheats) yes (after opening lead)
signals yes
skill levels 9
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal yes
deal types vast
DOS/Windows Win.
disk space (MB) 2.6
human W/N/E? yes
closed room yes
scoring methods team/dup./rub.
modem/network no
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version no
price $69.95
upgrade $34.95 (from Bridge Mate 2)
demo in rgb archives
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 10/10
====================================================================
Finesse Bridge 2.2
Wild Card Software, P.O. Box 208, Hockessin, DE 19707-9954
email: mark@wildcards.com
http://www.wildcards.com
Comments: Part of Internet game server, but also stands alone.
Programs include pinochle, hearts, spades, & rummy
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Auction:
hints yes
takeback yes
conventions 0
rebid yes
explain bids yes (just HCP)
systems 4&5CM (strong 2-bids)
aggressiveness no
talks no
Play:
hints yes
takeback yes
see deal at end yes
play review yes
rebid after play yes
replay yes
claim/concede yes
peeks (cheats) no
signals yes (hi-low with doubleton)
skill levels 1
General:
hand-entered deal yes
save/retrieve yes
print deal no
deal types no
DOS/Windows Win.
disk space (MB) 0.4
human W/N/E? yes
closed room no
scoring methods rub.
modem/network yes
user manual yes
help yes
Mac version no
price free
upgrades no
demo no
Ease of use good
speed good
graphics good
basic features 9/10 (can't print deal)
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