Vu-Bridge: Learning to Play a Killer Bridge Game
By Alex J. Coyne © 2018 Great Bridge Links
Vu-Bridge’s website describes it as “the modern, online AutoBridge revival”. You might have already heard about Vu-Bridge on bridge blogs, websites and forums. At Great Bridge Links we had to find out more about it. Here’s more about Vu-Bridge, how it started and how you can use it to hone your bridge skills away from the table.
Autobridge
According to Board Game Geek, the game of AutoBridge goes way back to 1938 and allows players to play pre-dealt bridge hands from bridge sheets placed on a board. Little sliders above the four hands would reveal each card and bid. “Experts who have contributed to the AutoBridge system include Ely and Josephine Culbertson, Charles Goren, Alfred Sheinwold, Alan Truscott, Barry Rigal, Albert Morehead and Richard Frey.”
Board Game Geek also has a .pdf download of the official AutoBridge Rules and AutoBridge Refills.
You can find originals for sale on eBay or Amazon.
What is Vu-Bridge
Vu-Bridge is an online system that allows you to play prepared hands put together by some of the world’s best bridge players and writers. From their website, here are some of the main features they offer:
- Over 70, 000 hands are available.
- Bridge e-quizzes are available to test your knowledge and improve your skills.
- You can sign up to the e-Newsletter.
- Prepared deals cover all skill levels, so it’s great for learning the basics or honing your tournament game.
- There’s a free hand-of-the-week.
- Interactive play with commentary as you go. From their website, the prepared hands are played as follows:
“You have to follow the path prepared for you by these famous authors. Should you make a wrong bid or a wrong play it will not be accepted. You will see “Wrong bid” or “Wrong play” appear; if you turn on the sound feature you will hear these words spoken.”
There’s a place to start for complete beginners, too. You can click here to play sample hands from the Vu-Bridge system. To try it out for yourself.
Interviewing Didier Levy from Vu-Bridge
Thanks to Jude for conducting the original interview!
Q: It seems like you offer online play. Can you describe how it works and explain how players can get going?
A: The best way for you to become familiar with Vubridge is to try my “Hands of the Week”.
Open www.vubrkidge.com and click on the “Hand of the Week” menu to the left. From there you can play free hands that are samples from our paid for subscriptions, namely V-Green for intermediate to advanced players, and V-Blue for beginners.
It is also possible to play Vu-Bridge without an internet connection, while on a train, a cruise and so on. To do that, open www.vubridge.com/app and try the sample hands you find there.
There’s no software to download, but the Vu-Bridge content is downloaded as soon as you call an issue (V-Green) or a lesson (V-Blue) for the first time, and stored within the web browser’s local memory, and “played” while in Airplane mode.
Q: Is your system primarily aimed at learning?
A: Vu-Bridge covers a wide range of playing skills. We have material covering:
- Total beginners: Vubridge Starter Kit
- Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 beginners: the various sets of V-Blue lessons.
- Intermediate to advanced players with V-Green, Vubridge Defender and Vubridge Slams
Q: Can you play against humans?
A: Vu-Bridge has only prepared hands, no human play.
Q: Is there software to download or an app?
A: No download is needed. The Vu-Bridge player runs in any standard compliant web browser, like Edge, IE, Chrome, Firefox and more. Vu-Bridge runs on PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone and Android enabled devices and the player automatically adapts itself to the screen size of your device.
The Vu-Bridge system guides players through every step of the bidding process – and nudges you in the right direction when you’re about to make a wrong move. It’s easy, quick, practical – and user-friendly, which is a massive positive for any bridge playing or learning software.
Sign up if you’re looking to improve your bridge game – no matter where your skill level is at. It’s one of the best ways we’ve seen to practice your game, and it has our seal of approval!