About IntoBridge

I recently had a discussion with Stefan from IntoBridge on their WhatsApp channel. It was my fault that I gave this discussion a bad start by choosing the wrong words and a too direct style. Here is my apology to IntoBridge.

I should start with the things that I enjoy and like.

• As Pete Hollands has said, IntoBridge is such a nice idea because you can quickly play a few games each day or immerse oneself "into Bridge" all day with their ranked games. Personally, I came back to bridge after decades of more or less hiatus. IntoBridge gives me the opportunity to find back into the game, practicing declarer play and defense, and also bidding in 2/1 style. I now have easily advanced way above my old level. Playing with real people or a teacher is more fun, but not feasible for me in my town. I play 2-3 times a weak in the club which is not enough to advance really.
• IntoBridge found a way to incorporate the human factor into the game. You can play against the expert, and even watch him or her analyze the game on YouTube. If you care to note your opponents at the ranked games, you will also get a more personal feeling of playing against a real player. Of course, you could also open a free game with a buddy for fun or for training. But I do not know anybody here who would be willing to invest time with me in the net. It is always difficult to actually socialize on servers with complete strangers. IntoBridge tries to help, however, by adding a video and chat feature.
• I like the fact that IntoBridge incorporates advanced bidding systems, and now also defense. Wolpert's system is a good example. Whoever watched his teaching is now able to actually play it. Programming that kind of AI is not easy. But IntoBridge is putting a lot of effort into it, and bugs are now rare. I like to use Acol which works very well now, and frees my brain.
• Last but not least, I like the interface. Card layout is clean and they are easy to handle even on a tablet. I have used the iPad version, and have now switched to the Android version on the Pixel Tablet. Everything worked well enough to be enjoyable. I think it is much better done than most of the competition. There are some lags, but not to an extend that makes me angry.

Of course, many will compare it to BBO. There are things that BBO has to offer which are missing in IntoBridge, like broadcasts of international games, virtual clubs and their private tournaments, ACBL connection with masterpoints, problem hands with Bridge master, or Mini Bridge. I do not think that IntoBridge should mimic all that. It is no problem to have separate servers for separate goals. BBO has the advantage of a larger user base. But I don't have buddies there, and the casual games are often very stiff, slow and a pain to complete.

Here are some things that I would like to see on IntoBridge.

• In ranked games and in expert games, the user should be able to replay the same hand with the robots immediately to study a different approach, maybe even change the bidding system for a new try. Of course, the second try should not count for advancements. This would help those that use IntoBridge to learn and study. They could open that feature only for subscribers, and it would yield a good reason to subscribe.
• The interface has changed recently, but it is not clean enough for my taste. On the start screen, there should not be a search list of participants and a practice hand. Those things should be accessible via a menu or by icons above the main area. Make the screen as clean and configurable as possible! 
• The start page in the web needs to be clearer about the offerings and options. Currently, it is more or less advertised as free. But why not clearly list the many great things that are free on this server, and alongside also the things you get as a subscriber. Currently, the page does what most companies do and does not clearly state the options and what to expect. I'd tell the users before they even starts the service for the first time. It just gives the user the feeling that they are dealing with an honest service.

There are a few more things. But they are not important or too involved. An example is the way, bids are explained, which is often weird and not easy to understand for a beginner.

I hope to make myself clear about my feelings. I am very thankful for the work that these programmers have done with IntoBridge. Keep it going!