What you need
You can play RealBridge on a laptop or a desktop computer. You can also play on a tablet (e.g. an iPad). A mobile phone, however, is not suitable because of the small screen.
Your device needs to have a webcam and a microphone so that you can be seen and heard by the other players. Most laptop computers and tablets have camera and microphone already built-in, but desktop computers rarely do. However a combined webcam and microphone can easily be purchased (prices typically from about £20) and is very easy to install: most webcams simply plug into a USB socket and clip to the top of your monitor.
If you are not sure whether your device already has a camera and microphone, ask yourself this: can you already use it for Skype or video calling? Have you used it for a Zoom meeting where you could be seen and heard by the host? If the answer to either of these questions is "yes", then you already have everything you need for RealBridge.
You can test your camera and microphone by clicking here.
Despite what has been written above, it is in fact possible to play RealBridge without a camera or microphone. However, your partner and your opponents will not be able to see or hear you, and the only means of communication with them would be by typed messages (rather like Bridge Base Online). Playing RealBridge this way is not recommended.
What to expect
Our bridge sessions are held weekly at 6.30pm on Mondays. You can log in and join a table at any time between 6.15 and 6.25.
The sessions are similar to a normal evening's bridge at a club. We usually play 24 to 28 boards in a Howell movement with a 10 minute tea/coffee break about half-way through if we have full tables. If there is an odd half-table, then we don't have a break, because everyone will have a "sit-out" round which they can use to make a cup of coffee etc. if they wish to. The session usually ends between 9.00 and 9.30.
Even if you have never played with us before, you do not need to worry about paying any "table money" at this stage. However, we do make a charge of 50p per session per player, i.e. approximately what RealBridge charges us for their service.
As the charge for each session is so small, we allow the amount owed to accumulate for a few weeks. At the end of each month we invoice you for the previous few sessions. Only then are you expected to pay anything.
So for a fraction of the cost of playing at a club you can have a full evening's bridge without leaving home.