[f18235]

I think the comments about the price are funny. I am sure most people are paying well less than they were paying when they played in person.

[taylorsm]

fmjssy, on 2026-August-06, 00:31, said:

Will she need to buy a plan?

Not necessarily, it depends on the day. Basic membership (free) includes 6 deals a day, and one deal is used each time she starts a hand at an open Social Bridge table she joins herself. On days she only plays a few hands, Basic covers her completely, no purchase needed. On days she plays 10 to 20 hands, she'll use up her 6 free deals partway through and won't be able to start more that day, her balance resets the next day. If she wants to keep playing at that pace whenever she likes, Premium removes that daily count entirely, or she could rent robots - during the rental period, you can start and play at Social Bridge tables without limits, even when you are not using the robots at your table

The one day a week you set up the table and invite her, none of that touches her deals at all, being invited to a table is always free, on any plan.

Worth knowing too: everyone is getting a complimentary Premium period in the next few months, so she'll get a chance to try unlimited play firsthand before anyone has to decide anything.

Your other questions:
What counts as an "eligible" hand? The 6 deals are used specifically for: joining a Social Bridge table, some Solitaire Bridge variants (Just Declare and Bridge 4 Hands), inviting someone to a Challenge, free Star and Robot Challenges, free Daylong games, and selected free tournaments. Everything else, paid games, being invited or substituting for someone, the practice tools, Just Play Bridge, Vugraph, and kibitzing, stays outside that count.

For friends who only play Solitaire Bridge? It depends which mode. Just Play Bridge itself is unlimited and free on every plan. Just Declare and Bridge 4 Hands do use daily deals on Basic and Basic No Ads, and are unlimited on Premium.

Kibitzing and watching Vugraph? Both stay completely free on every plan, whether it's a Vugraph tournament, a team game, or an individual table.

Learning tools? Bridge Master, Minibridge, and bidding or teaching tables are unlimited and free on every plan.

Thank you for the quick response. Your information is very helpful.

[OldPlayr]

Skip 1 coffee at Starbucks.

[pescetom]

OldPlayr, on 2026-August-06, 13:39, said:

Skip 1 coffee at Starbucks.

Are you by any chance paid to make these posts?
FWIW Starbucks which also relies on minor but regular payments reported an annual net income (profit) of approximately $1.856 billion last year.

[pescetom]

f18235, on 2026-August-06, 10:14, said:

I think the comments about the price are funny. I am sure most people are paying well less than they were paying when they played in person.

Welcome to the forum, I think this is a funny choice of comment for a first post.
If you want one data point, tonight I paid a 14 board tournament with a robot on BBO for $2.25, I could have played 24 board in person tournament sanctioned for $4 or unsanctioned for $2.

[johnjo42]

I think this is a dreadful decision. I joined BBO in 2005 when not that many Brits played and joined the Acol players Club. Everything was free then apart from pay tournaments. Over the following 15 years I played regularly most days, mainly in the Acol players club and made many good friends. . During Covid, when bridge clubs were closed BBO really took off.
It's now much quieter and, with varying commitment, I don't play on BBO as much as I used to but being limited to playing 6 boards a day is crazy. I often would play up to 50 boards a night.
I do hope that BBO will think again.

[jillybean]

And why do you believe BBO should keep providing this to you for free?

[OldPlayr]

pescetom, on 2026-August-06, 16:22, said:

Are you by any chance paid to make these posts?
FWIW Starbucks which also relies on minor but regular payments reported an annual net income (profit) of approximately $1.856 billion last year.

Yes, I get $100 per post

[barmar]

pescetom, on 2026-August-06, 16:27, said:

Welcome to the forum, I think this is a funny choice of comment for a first post.
If you want one data point, tonight I paid a 14 board tournament with a robot on BBO for $2.25, I could have played 24 board in person tournament sanctioned for $4 or unsanctioned for $2.

For comparison, in the US most ACBL sanctioned bridge clubs charge $5-15 per session for face-to-face games.

[pescetom]

barmar, on 2026-August-07, 12:21, said:

For comparison, in the US most ACBL sanctioned bridge clubs charge $5-15 per session for face-to-face games.

I'm not saying that $2.25 for a 14 board game with a mediocre robot and TD was a ripoff, just that it is already exceeding the market price over here.
Any further increases will send me to other sites.
I agree with your decision to make people pay for opening casual tables and do not understand why those invited should continue to play free.
You have every right to make us pay but at least be fair and reasonable.