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Hi all!
Which software do you suggest to prepare lin files for lessons on the play of the hand (both as declarer and as defender)?
The more feature, the merrier, but the minimum requirements should be to be able to show all 4 hands as well as only 2 hands, e.g. dummy +declarer or dummy + defender.
OS: either windows or android.
It would be equally good if it were either a program/app installed locally or an online resource.
Thanks a lot!
Mauro
(PS - I apologize if this topic has been answered before, I tried a search but could not find what I was looking for)
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Needed: software for preparing lin files for lessons to students Shd be able to handle both all 4 hands visible + only 2 hands visible
#1
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Posted 2025-May-21, 05:57
"Bridge is like dance: technique's important but what really matters is not to step on partner's feet !"
#2
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Posted 2025-May-21, 06:31
You might try Bridge Composer - https://bridgecomposer.com/
I haven't used it myself but it seems to be good.
I haven't used it myself but it seems to be good.
#3
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Posted 2025-May-22, 15:32
I use redeal (Python version of Thomas Andrews' dealer) to generate hands and output PBN, and PBN to LIN converter to convert it to LIN.
I have no idea about "showing 2 or 4 hands"; I only use the LIN file to load it into the bidding/teaching tables on BBO. If it were anything but BBO, I would expect to be able to use PBN.
If all I'd be doing is "presenting" and displaying, I'd be using one of the many (GBower's, orJGoldsmith's, I think there's at least one more on CTAN) bridge formatting packages for LaTeX. Because I'm weird, but also because once you learn it, it's really easy and simple. And frankly, I'd be able to output the generated hands as LaTeX commands just as easily as PBN or LIN - it's Python after all.
If the hands *start as* LIN, and you just want to present it, I'd determine what I was going to present with and look for tools there. Again, a small Python shim (SMOP, with *all* that implies :-) would auto-convert to LaTeX commands...or anything else, I guess.
I have no idea about "showing 2 or 4 hands"; I only use the LIN file to load it into the bidding/teaching tables on BBO. If it were anything but BBO, I would expect to be able to use PBN.
If all I'd be doing is "presenting" and displaying, I'd be using one of the many (GBower's, orJGoldsmith's, I think there's at least one more on CTAN) bridge formatting packages for LaTeX. Because I'm weird, but also because once you learn it, it's really easy and simple. And frankly, I'd be able to output the generated hands as LaTeX commands just as easily as PBN or LIN - it's Python after all.
If the hands *start as* LIN, and you just want to present it, I'd determine what I was going to present with and look for tools there. Again, a small Python shim (SMOP, with *all* that implies :-) would auto-convert to LaTeX commands...or anything else, I guess.
When I go to sea, don't fear for me, Fear For The Storm -- Birdie and the Swansong (tSCoSI)
#4
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Posted 2025-May-23, 15:03
A (much) less technical reply, but hopefully useful even though it does not meet all your requirements.
First of all, are you sure you want the files in lin format? I too would suggest the more popular and well defined pbn format, unless you have some specific reason to prefer lin, such as use at a BBO teaching table.
A good web based resource to generate deal files in any format is playBridge (google it: I won't link it because the site is still http and may be flagged as dangerous, but I never had problems).
An excellent web based resource to analyse and play files in any format is Bridge Solver Online.
It's available as an app too, but at it's best as an add-on to Chrome (not sure about other browsers).
The analysis is first rate and more intuitive than the BBO equivalent.
You can turn off the colours and subscripts during play for either NS or EW independently, but not hide the cards completely I think (but Michael is always keen to make improvements, ask for it).
Hope this helps, please ask if something is not clear (va bene anche un private message in italiano
)
First of all, are you sure you want the files in lin format? I too would suggest the more popular and well defined pbn format, unless you have some specific reason to prefer lin, such as use at a BBO teaching table.
A good web based resource to generate deal files in any format is playBridge (google it: I won't link it because the site is still http and may be flagged as dangerous, but I never had problems).
An excellent web based resource to analyse and play files in any format is Bridge Solver Online.
It's available as an app too, but at it's best as an add-on to Chrome (not sure about other browsers).
The analysis is first rate and more intuitive than the BBO equivalent.
You can turn off the colours and subscripts during play for either NS or EW independently, but not hide the cards completely I think (but Michael is always keen to make improvements, ask for it).
Hope this helps, please ask if something is not clear (va bene anche un private message in italiano
)
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